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John David Arnold was born March 23, 1916, in Lawton, OK, the son of a horse trader, Ben Arnold. His mother was Maggie Lena McAlpine Arnold. After a long illness he passed from this life to his heavenly home with his Savior, the Lord, Jesus Christ, at 3:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 18, 2003, at the age of 87, in Albuquerque, NM. He came to Albuquerque in 1935. Here he met Roma Rieb Beauchamp, the daughter of a German immigrant, Gustav Rieb and Nina May Deal Rieb, an Irish-American from Iowa. She had taken the name of her stepfather during her years at Albuquerque High School. On September 5, 1936, they were joined in marriage. He was preceded in death on August 21, 1989, by his wife of 52 years. Mr. Arnold is survived by their children: son, Dr. John D. Arnold, Jr. and his wife, Betty; daughter, Lois May Hindi and her husband, Shawkeet, all of Albuquerque; grandchildren, John David Arnold III; Renee Grout and husband Jim; Jeree Hindi Tomasi and husband Tom; Laura Blaylock; Shawkeet Hindi II and Dion Hindi, all of Albuquerque; Yvonne High and husband Steve of Cedar Crest; Kandy Bolton and husband Manly of Houston, TX; 14 great-grandchildren: Steven and James High; Jennifer Smith; Gerad Higgins; John Christopher Arnold; Jordan, James and Taylor Grout; Jessica and Parker Tomasi; Clayton, Travis, Jolene and Hulon Blaylock, Jr; and one great-great-granddaughter, Stormy Mae Gardner; two sisters: Janetta Purcell of Portales and Nellena Lee of Ruidoso; and a sister-in-law, Cleon Arnold of Corina, CA and Ruth Gatewood of Rio Rancho; and brother-in-law, Richard Pearce of Prescott, AZ; numerous nieces and nephews; many friends; and his special friend and companion, Esther Freedman. He will be greatly missed. Special thanks to his personal physicians: Dr. Christopher Merchant and Dr. William Summers for their care of our Papa. Mr. Arnold was also predeceased by two brothers: James Ezra and Clifford Berdie and three sisters: Georgia Brawley, Clara Arnold and Clura Nail. As a young boy John was called "Major" because he always stood up so straight. In later years he was known as "Jack". Mr. Arnold worked hard all of his life and taught his family to persevere. He instilled in them a sense of honor and integrity, teaching them to love God. Mr. Arnold bought property in Albuquerque, and built two of the family homes by himself, one room at a time. During WW II, he had worked as foreman in the shipyards at Long Beach, CA. After returning to Albuquerque, he was an automobile mechanic at Holdridge Motor Company. Mr. Arnold was a very successful businessman for over 50 years; first, as owner of Carico Garage; then, Arnold Auto Service on East Central Avenue. In 1953 he built Auto Clinic, Inc., which continues today as a family-owned business. Later in life he began Key Transmission, Inc. and J&J Brakes, Inc. Mr. Arnold and his family had been members of Faith Tabernacle since 1949. The church was renamed Faith Chapel in 1958 when the new location was built. Mr. Arnold was a fisherman and hunter, and he taught his children at an early age how to safely handle firearms. He also taught his children to handle horses, and for many years he was an officer in the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Posse. Later, he became a Master Mason and is a 25-year member of Hiram Lodge #13. He and his wife, Roma, were both licensed airplane pilots and for a number of years enjoyed traveling in their Piper Cherokee and Comanche. They also enjoyed boating, camping and traveling, including many trips to the Holy Land and Europe. Services will be held Monday, September 22, 2003, at 2:00 p.m., at French Mortuary, Wyoming Blvd. Chapel. Wayne Ehlert, Founder of Hope Christian Schools, will give the message in Celebration of Eternal Life. Interment will follow at Sandia Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be his grandsons and honorary pallbearers are his great-grandsons. Friends may visit French Mortuary, Wyoming Blvd. Chapel, Sunday, September 21, 2003, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. French Mortuary 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE 823-9400
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