Harold E. Arnold

Harold E. Arnold was born April 20, 1918 in Zink, Arkansas. He was the son of Wade and Bertha Mae Arnold. Harold moved with his family at an early age to Cleveland, Oklahoma, where he was raised an attended school. He attended Cleveland High School through the eleventh grade and then later earned his high school diploma through the GED program.

Upon completion of his schooling, Harold worked at various jobs in the Cleveland area for a while before accepting employment at the Johnson Oil Refinery. Harold was married to Eula Mae Adams in Cleveland, Oklahoma on July 4, 1940. The couple made their home in Cleveland and raised four children, Bob, Rita, Sharon and Tonya. Harold continued to work at the refinery until he was inducted into the service of his country in the United States Army on August 29, 1944 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. After completion of his basic training, Harold was assigned as a machinist for the Headquarter and Service Company of the 177th Engineer Construction Battalion. He served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre where he obtained the following decorations and citations: World War II Victory Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal and the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon. He was honorably discharged from active military service on March 17, 1946 and returned to his family in Cleveland.

After World War II, Harold initially accepted employment utilizing the skills he learned as a machinist in the Army, with a company in Tulsa. He later returned to Cleveland when a position became available at the Johnson Refinery. He continued to work at the local refinery until the operation was sold to Kerr-McGee in the mid 1950's. Harold then accepted employment as a machinist with the Sun Oil Company in Tulsa, working at the Sun Refinery. He continued to work until his retirement in 1981 after twenty-five years of service.

Harold was a lifetime member of both the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign War. He served in numerous capacities at the American Legion, Everett Taylor Post 1, including Post Commander for two terms and as Financial Officer for many years. After his retirement, Harold remained active in his many hobbies. He spent countless hours providing macramÈ items for his friends and family. His hangings are found in many homes throughout this area and beyond. He loved to travel with his family and traveled to nearly all fifty states. He enjoyed fishing and camping. As a result of his passion for camping and traveling, he began restoring campers and recreational vehicles which he would fix up and sale. His favorite pastime was brush hogging with his John Deer. He loved his family and especially enjoyed having them all together at Thanksgiving. Harold was honored a couple of years ago by receiving his Cleveland High School Diploma at a celebration honoring World War II Veterans from this area.

Harold passed away on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 in Broken Arrow at the age of eighty four years, ten months and six days. He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Jim Alexander; and a great-grandson, Ryan Moyers.

He is survived by his wife of nearly sixty-three years, Eula Mae Arnold, of the home; one son, Bob Arnold, Cleveland, Oklahoma; three daughters, Rita and her husband, Doug Benge, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Sharon Alexander, Austin, Texas., Tonya and her husband, Lee Felmlee, Pensacola, Florida; seven grandchildren, Link Benge, Waterford, Wisconsin, Wade Benge, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Scott Benge, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Leslie Moyers, Coweta, Oklahoma, Kimberly Earl, Round Rock, Texas, Heather Alexander, Austin, Texas and Alan Felmlee, Shawnee, Kansas; seven great-grandchildren, Amber Benge, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Delta Benge, Marion, Indiana, Autumn Earl, Round Rock, Texas, Lane Moyers, Coweta, Oklahoma, Ashley Moyers, Coweta, Oklahoma, Alexander Earl, Round Rock, Texas and Gracie Benge, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; numerous cousins including Wiladean Pogue of Cleveland.

Funeral services will be held at the Chapel of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home with Kenneth McCabe officiating. Burial will be at the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home, Military honors will be provided by the Veteran of Foreign War, District Honor Guard.

''Visit an online obituary and guestbook for Harold Arnold at www.chapman-black.com.''