Mr. Frank H. Arnold, 89, of Baker, La., passed away on Monday, Oct. 3, 2016, at the Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach.
Born in Baton Rouge, La., he was the second oldest of seven children born to the late John Leo and Bessie Mae Partin Arnold. Mr. Arnold was a lifelong resident of Baton Rouge and had worked as a mechanic for the East Baton Rouge Parish Parks and Recreation Commission for 25 years before opening his own small-engine repair business at his home in Central, La.
He was a former member at 68th Avenue Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and volunteered with the prison ministry. For the past 40 years, he has been a member of Zoar Baptist Church. Mr. Arnold’s faith took him regularly to Oshner’s Medical Center in New Orleans as a prayer warrior to offer prayer and comfort to critically ill patients awaiting heart transplant.
His family recalls his love of engine mechanics, vegetable gardening, fishing and their annual camping trips as a family in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
He was preceded in death by his wives, Margaret Hagan Arnold, Bobbie Butler Arnold and Etta Mae Arnold. Also preceding him in death were his two beloved brothers, Gurvis Ray “Buddy” Arnold and Leo Arnold, and two beloved sisters, Bernice Love and Vera Mae Dupree.
Mr. Arnold leaves behind his daughters, Carolyn Gleason and her husband, Mike, of Fernandina Beach, and Diane LeSage and her husband, Lucian, of Pride, La. He also leaves behind his devoted five grandchildren, Shasta Anderson and her husband, Brendon, of Zachary, La., Lance LeSage and his wife, Christina, of French Settlement, La., Meagan Leign Gleason of Fernandina Beach, Jessica Tompkins and her husband, Brendan, of Raleigh, N.C., and Mary Michael Gleason of Jacksonville; eight great-grandchildren, Breland Anderson, Sage Anderson, Tristan Anderson, Alexa LeSage, Ava Edwards, Layton LeSage, Emma Leign deBrauwere and Linden Tompkins; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He has two surviving siblings, Dorothy Zumo and Shirley Welch.
Funeral services were Saturday afternoon, Oct. 8, at Zoar Baptist Church with Dr. Kevin Hand officiating. His family received friends on Saturday at the church before the service.
Mr. Arnold was laid to rest beside his wife in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Flood Relief Fund, c/o Zoar Baptist Church, 11848 Hooper Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70818.
Please share his Life Legacy and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.
Oxley–Heard Funeral Directors