Carl J. Arnold
Carl J. Arnold, former Interstate Life executive, passed away Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at 102 years of age.
Carl was born in Franklin County, Tennessee, January 25, 1917 and attended Franklin County Public school. He earned his B.S. from Bowling Green College of Commerce (now Western Kentucky) in 1939 and taught school in Wellsburg, West Va. He was employed by TVA before entering the Navy in 1942.
After being honorably discharged as Lieutenant Senior Grade in 1946, he went to work for Interstate Life and Accident Insurance Company and retired in 1984 as Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer.
Carl was an active member of the First Centenary United Methodist Church having served as Treasurer, leader of the Discussion Sunday School Class and President of the Baker-New-Mur class. He was a member of the Chattanooga Kiwanis Club serving as Treasurer, Finance Chairman and Board Member with almost 40 years of perfect attendance. He had a special interest in the Educational Assistance Committee and served as its Chairman for many years.
He served as Chairman and was a long-time member of Citizens Committee for Better Schools and was a member of the first Contact class in 1969 serving in some capacity with this telephone ministry until it ceased operating.
Carl was the oldest member of the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club where he shot his age or better over 80 times. He often said he was the oldest one on the course, but not the worst.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Elysie C. Arnold, two brothers Ernest C. Arnold and Terrell Bostic Arnold, two sisters Catholene A. Thompson and Willie Mae Sweeney, parents Will J. and Willie Mae Arnold, and nephew Ernest C. Arnold, Jr.
Survivors include daughter Carleen A. Wesson (Dik) of Marietta, Ga., granddaughter Laura Wesson Hill, nephews, Toney Martin Sweeney, Walter Randal Sweeney, William A. Thompson and niece Catherine T. Fleenor.
A Celebration of Carl’s Life will be at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, November 18, 2019 at the Chattanooga Funeral Home, East Chapel. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:30 a.m. until service time. He will be laid to rest with his wife, Elysie in the Chattanooga National Cemetery at 2 p.m. with military honors.
The family wishes to extend grateful appreciation to Hospice of Chattanooga and his loving caregivers, Peggy Fowler; Mildred Brooks; T.J. Fowler; Wanda King; Cember Alexander; Sherry Glover FNP-BC; and also the caregivers and staff at Creekside and Hickory Valley.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Centenary United Methodist Church, 419 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37402 or to Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, Tennessee, 37416.
Arrangements are under the care of Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory and Florist East Chapel, 404 South Moore Rd. East Ridge, TN 37412.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com