Tom was born on February 10, 1952, to Thomas R. And Joyce (Watts) Arnold in Butler, Missouri. He was the first of eight children. He graduated from Adrian High School in 1970 and Faith Baptist Bible College, Ankeny, Iowa, in 1975 with a degree in Bible and Theology.
On August 8, 1981, Tom was united in marriage to Patricia Pitts, his wife of nearly 40 years. To this union two children were born.
Tom loved his family, his church family, and most of all his God. Tom accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at an early age and became a charter member of Calvary Baptist Church where he served faithfully as a Sunday school teacher and deacon and sang special music for many services. The song "No Room" became his special song at Christmas every year.
Tom had a variety of jobs through the years--youth pastor, camp director, construction worker, hardware estimator, and special education teacher. He retired in 2008 because of his declining health.
Tom was preceded in death by his father, Thomas R. Arnold, and two of his brothers, Lester Arnold and Phillip Arnold. He is survived by his wife, Pat, of the home; one daughter, Lydia Couch and husband, Tom, of Harrisonville, Missouri; one son, Paul Arnold and wife, Sabrina, of Pleasant Hill, Missouri; eight grandsons: Grady Couch, Deacon Couch, Titus Couch, Emmett Couch, Asher Couch, Jack Arnold, Max Arnold, and Sam Arnold; one granddaughter, Meredith Couch; his mother, Joyce Arnold; one brother, John Arnold and wife, Debbie; four sisters: Susan Davis and husband, Doug, Beverly Foster, Brenda Ortiz and husband, Pablo, and Brenda Sue Arnold, and a host of nieces and nephews.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
