John Robert Arnold
Starkville, MS
May 17, 1923 — August 23, 2017

John Robert Arnold of Starkville, MS, who resided in the Sessums community, passed away Wednesday, August 23, 2017, at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, at the age of 94. John Robert is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Ann (Ficklin) Arnold also of Sessums, five children: Elizabeth Allison Arnold Howell (Jim) of Richmond, VA, Margaret Ann Arnold Baehren of Toledo, OH, Carrie Susannah Arnold Bowie (Scott) of Granger, IN, Hunter Thomas Arnold (Tina) of Madison, MS, and Mary Steele Arnold Moegle (Forrest) of Ruston, LA, ten grandchildren: Mary Kathen Hall Caldwell (Devin) of West Point, VA, Kimberly Lauren Hall Cramer (Marc) of Richmond, VA, Hunter Steele Baehren and Emma Elizabeth Baehren of Toledo, OH, John Hunter Bowie of Chicago, IL, Kathleen Ruth Bowie of Portland, OR, Jessica Ruth Arnold of Jackson, MS, Regan Steele Arnold Maxwell (Joseph) of Jackson, MS, Alma Sloane Moegle and Riley Atticus Moegle of Ruston, LA, one adopted daughter Gabriella Rodriguez (Cortes) Davis (Mark) of Starkville, MS, two nephews: Kenneth Arnold Dodds (Helen) of John’s Island, SC and William Russell Dodds (Haley) of Sessums, and niece Carolyn Ruth Dodds Fields (Chuck) of Greenville, SC. In addition to his parents, one sister, Annie Ruth (Arnold) Dodds of Charleston, SC, preceded him in death, as did one son-in-law, Peter Paul Baehren of Toledo, OH.
John Robert was born on May 17, 1923, in Wattensaw, Arkansas, the son of Murray Hunter Arnold and Elizabeth Ruth (Steele) Arnold. At the age of 3, John Robert and his family moved to Oktibbeha County. A 1940 graduate of Starkville High School, John Robert completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, magna cum laude, at Mississippi State University in 1944. While at MSU, he was active in ROTC and a member of the varsity football team. Upon graduating, he joined his father in dairy farming, as well as raising cattle and cultivating cotton. On August 26, 1950, in Laurens, SC, John Robert married Mary Ann Ficklin. In the early 1960’s, with the help of several area business partners, John Robert ventured into manufacturing and eventually, under the brand names of Howard Furniture, Herschede Hall Clocks, and Motor Guide, produced family room furniture, floor, wall, and mantle clocks, and electric trolling motors. In 1973, these companies were merged under the umbrella of Arnold Industries, which continued until sold in 1984. In addition to manufacturing, John Robert formed Dodge City Enterprises, which included a Chrysler dealership, several Coleman BBQ Restaurants, and an appliance retail business. For a decade prior to his retirement from business, John Robert was instrumental in launching a bus ministry at the First United Methodist Church in Starkville. John Robert then formed a tour bus business, called Starkville Buses, offering tours to all 49 continental states, Canada and Mexico. He continued offering tours until his retirement in 2014, at the age of 91.
John Robert was active in the leadership of many community organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts, MSU Development Foundation, the Rotary Club, and United Way. For many decades, John Robert was the President of the Sessums Community Club.
From the age of five, John Robert worshipped at the First United Methodist Church of Starkville. Active in the youth and music ministries of the church from the age of nineteen, he taught generations of Starkville youth in the 7th grade Sunday school class, teaching his last class this past April. John Robert was instrumental in establishing many vital ministries of the church, including the church’s TV, bus, and day school ministries. He was also involved in the wider ministry of the United Methodist Church, serving as trustee of Camp Lake Stephens, Wood Junior College, and Rust College.
Whether in business, at church, or in civic activities, John Robert always had a welcoming embrace, reaching out to every person with affirmation, respect, and love.
A celebration of John Robert Arnold’s life and a witness to the resurrection will be held Saturday, August 26, at 3pm, with the Reverends Giles Lindley, Prentiss Gordon, and K. Scott Bowie officiating. The Arnold family will receive guests one hour prior to the service in the Sanctuary of the Starkville First United Methodist Church. Visitation with family and friends will be Friday, August 25, from 4-7pm, in the church’s Christian Life Center.
In lieu of flowers, contributions honoring John Robert Arnold may be made to:
First United Methodist Church
Post Office Box 2585
Starkville, Mississippi 39760
Pushmataha Council of the Boy Scouts of America
420 31st Avenue North
Columbus, Mississippi 39705
You can leave the family a condolence at: www.welchfuneralhomes.com.