Leon D. Arnold, 72, of Tunnel Hill, Georgia, passed away Friday, April 29, 2016 at the Erlanger Medical Center.
Mr. Arnold was born in Summerville, Georgia on July 4, 1943, son of the late Henry Thomas Arnold and Mamie Lee Hawkins Arnold. He was a graduate of Chattooga High School, and earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Berry College. While attending Berry College, Mr. Arnold was a two time Golden Glove Champion Boxer. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving in the United States Army as a combat engineer, was a member of the 46th Special Forces; earning the Vietnam Service Medal, the Parachutist Badge, the National Defense Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. Mr. Arnold was of the Baptist Faith, loved to hunt, fish, garden, camp, and spend time with his family. Prior to his retirement, he was employed with World Carpet as an accountant.
Mr. Arnold was preceded in death by his sisters, Jessie Ivey, Jo Cook; and brothers, Gene Arnold, Noah Arnold and Henry Thomas Arnold, Jr.
Mr. Arnold is survived by his daughters and sons-n-law, Beth and Tony Bean, Amy and Scott Miller and Ashley Epperson (Johnnie Dawkins); brothers, Otho (Doris)Arnold, James “Rydo” Arnold; sisters, Anna (Billy)Isom, Kathleen(Lamar) Curvin, Juanita (Jim)Thornton, Patsy (Dan)Thornton, Marilyn (Bobby) Patterson and Jenith (Ken)Strickland; sister-in-law, Joan Arnold; grandchildren, Laura Shattuck, Chelsey Arnold, Grace Miller, Bryce Epperson and Megan Miller; great-grandchildren, Matthew Shattuck and Anton Ivanov; his friends, Claude and the Barber Shop Gang; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services for Mr. Arnold will be held Monday, May 2, at 2 p.m. in the Petitt Chapel of the Coffman Funeral Home with Rev. Jimmy Weaver officiating. Interment will follow in the West Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Josh Tapp, Matthew Thornton, Ray Thornton, Terry Dobson, Matthew Strickland, Jr. Cook, David Smith, Dewayne Arnold and Jamie Arnold. Honorary Pallbearers will be nieces and nephews.
Coffman Funeral Home, Petitt Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.