Harold LeRoy Arnott was born to George and Bessie Atwater Arnott on July 15, 1922 in White Pigeon, Michigan and died in Brandon, SD on June 11, 2015 at the age of 92.
At the age of two, Harold moved with his family to a farm in Hawkeye Valley, south of Wessington Springs, SD. He attended Moore country school, and graduated as the president of his senior class, from Wessington Springs High School in 1940. He attended Grand Island Business School in Nebraska for one year.
After a brief stint building DC3 aircraft - also called the C-47 “Goonie” - in Los Angeles, CA, he joined the US Army Air Corp in 1943. During a ten day furlough, he married Ruth Patton in Pipestone, MN on June 19, 1944. In 1946, he returned from military service and served as the Standard Oil Bulk agent in Wessington Springs, and as administrator at Jerauld County Memorial Hospital. In 1967, Harold moved his family to Valley Springs, SD where he managed the Standard Oil Bulk business until his retirement in 1982. In Wessington Springs, Harold was a leader in Kiwanis, the Boy Scouts, and the Free Methodist Church. He served many years on the Board of Trustees of Wessington Springs College and Academy, and was honored by Central Christian College of Kansas with the Servant Leader Award in 2007 for his support of Christian education and his exemplary service to his community. He actively supported all youth sports and school activities, and through his business, sponsored teams. After his move to Valley Springs, perhaps the role that fit him best was as the president of the Optimist club, because he was known for his cheerful and positive attitude about life. He was president of the Valley Springs Development Corporation for 32 years, served on the Valley Springs town council, and was a member of Valley Springs American Legion. He was well known as a compassionate bus driver for the Brandon Valley School District from 1967 to 2007, carrying children and even grandchildren of his first passengers.
His family worshipped for many years at the Free Methodist Church in Wessington Springs and then Sioux Falls, and in recent years was a member of Beaver Valley Lutheran Church. He was always an active and well-known leader in his community, serving on many Republican election committees and town advocacy projects. He enjoyed his last years with the loving and caring staff and residents of Bethany Meadows in Brandon.
Harold was a builder: of homes, businesses, churches, families, and communities. He enjoyed taking his family on camping trips around the Western United States. The family was involved in scouting and church activities. After retirement, Harold and Ruth invested one year as missionaries in the Dominican Republic. He was generous: it was not uncommon for strangers to be temporarily at home in their basement. Like Will Rogers, “Harold knew no strangers, only good friends he had not met. “
He is survived by his five children and their spouses: Gail and Susan Arnott of Wessington Springs, Neil and Jacquie Arnott of Ft. Walton Beach, FL, Ardell and Larry Johnson of Valley Springs, Dean and Lora Arnott of Zimmerman, MN, and Dave and Ginger Arnott of Midlothian, TX; his 13 grandchildren David Timothy Arnott (Evelyn), Amy Johnson, Jeremy Arnott, Stephen Arnott (Laura), Carl Johnson (Darcie), Emily Shum (Robert), Lindsay Macedo (Ricardo), Andrew Arnott, Chris Arnott, Lance Arnott (Bridget), Chelsea Arnott, Alex Arnott, and Rachel Arnott; and ten great-grandchildren. Also surviving him are his sisters Margaret Olson of Prineville, OR, Genevie Loving of Joshua Tree, CA and Dorothy Hein of Rapid City; his brothers George and his wife Ruby of Sioux Falls and Robert of Huron; three brothers –in-law Les Patton of Kenmore, WA, Paul Patton and wife Dorothy of Mitchell, SD, Arlo Tiede of Stanwood, WA and sister-in-law Eloise Patton, of Hemet, CA.
When asked to offer grace, he often prayed, “Lord we thank you for life.” His family and friends are thankful for his.
Condolences may be sent to: The Harold Arnott Family, Box 246, Valley Springs, SD 57068. Memorial gifts can be made to Central Christian College of Kansas, the American Legion of Valley Springs, or Beaver Valley Lutheran Church.
Friends are invited to celebrate his life well lived in services at Beaver Valley Lutheran Church at 26214 484th Ave, Valley Springs, SD at 10:00 on Monday, June 15. Interment will be at Prospect Hills Cemetery in Wessington Springs. Visitation will be Sunday at Heritage Funeral Home from 2:00 to 6:00 pm with the family present from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
At the age of two, Harold moved with his family to a farm in Hawkeye Valley, south of Wessington Springs, SD. He attended Moore country school, and graduated as the president of his senior class, from Wessington Springs High School in 1940. He attended Grand Island Business School in Nebraska for one year.
After a brief stint building DC3 aircraft - also called the C-47 “Goonie” - in Los Angeles, CA, he joined the US Army Air Corp in 1943. During a ten day furlough, he married Ruth Patton in Pipestone, MN on June 19, 1944. In 1946, he returned from military service and served as the Standard Oil Bulk agent in Wessington Springs, and as administrator at Jerauld County Memorial Hospital. In 1967, Harold moved his family to Valley Springs, SD where he managed the Standard Oil Bulk business until his retirement in 1982. In Wessington Springs, Harold was a leader in Kiwanis, the Boy Scouts, and the Free Methodist Church. He served many years on the Board of Trustees of Wessington Springs College and Academy, and was honored by Central Christian College of Kansas with the Servant Leader Award in 2007 for his support of Christian education and his exemplary service to his community. He actively supported all youth sports and school activities, and through his business, sponsored teams. After his move to Valley Springs, perhaps the role that fit him best was as the president of the Optimist club, because he was known for his cheerful and positive attitude about life. He was president of the Valley Springs Development Corporation for 32 years, served on the Valley Springs town council, and was a member of Valley Springs American Legion. He was well known as a compassionate bus driver for the Brandon Valley School District from 1967 to 2007, carrying children and even grandchildren of his first passengers.
His family worshipped for many years at the Free Methodist Church in Wessington Springs and then Sioux Falls, and in recent years was a member of Beaver Valley Lutheran Church. He was always an active and well-known leader in his community, serving on many Republican election committees and town advocacy projects. He enjoyed his last years with the loving and caring staff and residents of Bethany Meadows in Brandon.
Harold was a builder: of homes, businesses, churches, families, and communities. He enjoyed taking his family on camping trips around the Western United States. The family was involved in scouting and church activities. After retirement, Harold and Ruth invested one year as missionaries in the Dominican Republic. He was generous: it was not uncommon for strangers to be temporarily at home in their basement. Like Will Rogers, “Harold knew no strangers, only good friends he had not met. “
He is survived by his five children and their spouses: Gail and Susan Arnott of Wessington Springs, Neil and Jacquie Arnott of Ft. Walton Beach, FL, Ardell and Larry Johnson of Valley Springs, Dean and Lora Arnott of Zimmerman, MN, and Dave and Ginger Arnott of Midlothian, TX; his 13 grandchildren David Timothy Arnott (Evelyn), Amy Johnson, Jeremy Arnott, Stephen Arnott (Laura), Carl Johnson (Darcie), Emily Shum (Robert), Lindsay Macedo (Ricardo), Andrew Arnott, Chris Arnott, Lance Arnott (Bridget), Chelsea Arnott, Alex Arnott, and Rachel Arnott; and ten great-grandchildren. Also surviving him are his sisters Margaret Olson of Prineville, OR, Genevie Loving of Joshua Tree, CA and Dorothy Hein of Rapid City; his brothers George and his wife Ruby of Sioux Falls and Robert of Huron; three brothers –in-law Les Patton of Kenmore, WA, Paul Patton and wife Dorothy of Mitchell, SD, Arlo Tiede of Stanwood, WA and sister-in-law Eloise Patton, of Hemet, CA.
When asked to offer grace, he often prayed, “Lord we thank you for life.” His family and friends are thankful for his.
Condolences may be sent to: The Harold Arnott Family, Box 246, Valley Springs, SD 57068. Memorial gifts can be made to Central Christian College of Kansas, the American Legion of Valley Springs, or Beaver Valley Lutheran Church.
Friends are invited to celebrate his life well lived in services at Beaver Valley Lutheran Church at 26214 484th Ave, Valley Springs, SD at 10:00 on Monday, June 15. Interment will be at Prospect Hills Cemetery in Wessington Springs. Visitation will be Sunday at Heritage Funeral Home from 2:00 to 6:00 pm with the family present from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Harold LeRoy Arnott was born to George and Bessie Atwater Arnott on July 15, 1922 in White Pigeon, Michigan and died in Brandon, SD on June 11, 2015 at the age of 92.
At the age of two, Harold moved with his family to a farm in Hawkeye Valley, south of Wessington Springs, SD. He attended Moore country school, and graduated as the president of his senior class, from Wessington Springs High School in 1940. He attended Grand Island Business School in Nebraska for one year.
After a brief stint building DC3 aircraft - also called the C-47 “Goonie” - in Los Angeles, CA, he joined the US Army Air Corp in 1943. During a ten day furlough, he married Ruth Patton in Pipestone, MN on June 19, 1944. In 1946, he returned from military service and served as the Standard Oil Bulk agent in Wessington Springs, and as administrator at Jerauld County Memorial Hospital. In 1967, Harold moved his family to Valley Springs, SD where he managed the Standard Oil Bulk business until his retirement in 1982. In Wessington Springs, Harold was a leader in Kiwanis, the Boy Scouts, and the Free Methodist Church. He served many years on the Board of Trustees of Wessington Springs College and Academy, and was honored by Central Christian College of Kansas with the Servant Leader Award in 2007 for his support of Christian education and his exemplary service to his community. He actively supported all youth sports and school activities, and through his business, sponsored teams. After his move to Valley Springs, perhaps the role that fit him best was as the president of the Optimist club, because he was known for his cheerful and positive attitude about life. He was president of the Valley Springs Development Corporation for 32 years, served on the Valley Springs town council, and was a member of Valley Springs American Legion. He was well known as a compassionate bus driver for the Brandon Valley School District from 1967 to 2007, carrying children and even grandchildren of his first passengers.
His family worshipped for many years at the Free Methodist Church in Wessington Springs and then Sioux Falls, and in recent years was a member of Beaver Valley Lutheran Church. He was always an active and well-known leader in his community, serving on many Republican election committees and town advocacy projects. He enjoyed his last years with the loving and caring staff and residents of Bethany Meadows in Brandon.
Harold was a builder: of homes, businesses, churches, families, and communities. He enjoyed taking his family on camping trips around the Western United States. The family was involved in scouting and church activities. After retirement, Harold and Ruth invested one year as missionaries in the Dominican Republic. He was generous: it was not uncommon for strangers to be temporarily at home in their basement. Like Will Rogers, “Harold knew no strangers, only good friends he had not met. “
He is survived by his five children and their spouses: Gail and Susan Arnott of Wessington Springs, Neil and Jacquie Arnott of Ft. Walton Beach, FL, Ardell and Larry Johnson of Valley Springs, Dean and Lora Arnott of Zimmerman, MN, and Dave and Ginger Arnott of Midlothian, TX; his 13 grandchildren David Timothy Arnott (Evelyn), Amy Johnson, Jeremy Arnott, Stephen Arnott (Laura), Carl Johnson (Darcie), Emily Shum (Robert), Lindsay Macedo (Ricardo), Andrew Arnott, Chris Arnott, Lance Arnott (Bridget), Chelsea Arnott, Alex Arnott, and Rachel Arnott; and ten great-grandchildren. Also surviving him are his sisters Margaret Olson of Prineville, OR, Genevie Loving of Joshua Tree, CA and Dorothy Hein of Rapid City; his brothers George and his wife Ruby of Sioux Falls and Robert of Huron; three brothers –in-law Les Patton of Kenmore, WA, Paul Patton and wife Dorothy of Mitchell, SD, Arlo Tiede of Stanwood, WA and sister-in-law Eloise Patton, of Hemet, CA.
When asked to offer grace, he often prayed, “Lord we thank you for life.” His family and friends are thankful for his.
Condolences may be sent to: The Harold Arnott Family, Box 246, Valley Springs, SD 57068. Memorial gifts can be made to Central Christian College of Kansas, the American Legion of Valley Springs, or Beaver Valley Lutheran Church.
Friends are invited to celebrate his life well lived in services at Beaver Valley Lutheran Church at 26214 484th Ave, Valley Springs, SD at 10:00 on Monday, June 15. Interment will be at Prospect Hills Cemetery in Wessington Springs. Visitation will be Sunday at Heritage Funeral Home from 2:00 to 6:00 pm with the family present from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
At the age of two, Harold moved with his family to a farm in Hawkeye Valley, south of Wessington Springs, SD. He attended Moore country school, and graduated as the president of his senior class, from Wessington Springs High School in 1940. He attended Grand Island Business School in Nebraska for one year.
After a brief stint building DC3 aircraft - also called the C-47 “Goonie” - in Los Angeles, CA, he joined the US Army Air Corp in 1943. During a ten day furlough, he married Ruth Patton in Pipestone, MN on June 19, 1944. In 1946, he returned from military service and served as the Standard Oil Bulk agent in Wessington Springs, and as administrator at Jerauld County Memorial Hospital. In 1967, Harold moved his family to Valley Springs, SD where he managed the Standard Oil Bulk business until his retirement in 1982. In Wessington Springs, Harold was a leader in Kiwanis, the Boy Scouts, and the Free Methodist Church. He served many years on the Board of Trustees of Wessington Springs College and Academy, and was honored by Central Christian College of Kansas with the Servant Leader Award in 2007 for his support of Christian education and his exemplary service to his community. He actively supported all youth sports and school activities, and through his business, sponsored teams. After his move to Valley Springs, perhaps the role that fit him best was as the president of the Optimist club, because he was known for his cheerful and positive attitude about life. He was president of the Valley Springs Development Corporation for 32 years, served on the Valley Springs town council, and was a member of Valley Springs American Legion. He was well known as a compassionate bus driver for the Brandon Valley School District from 1967 to 2007, carrying children and even grandchildren of his first passengers.
His family worshipped for many years at the Free Methodist Church in Wessington Springs and then Sioux Falls, and in recent years was a member of Beaver Valley Lutheran Church. He was always an active and well-known leader in his community, serving on many Republican election committees and town advocacy projects. He enjoyed his last years with the loving and caring staff and residents of Bethany Meadows in Brandon.
Harold was a builder: of homes, businesses, churches, families, and communities. He enjoyed taking his family on camping trips around the Western United States. The family was involved in scouting and church activities. After retirement, Harold and Ruth invested one year as missionaries in the Dominican Republic. He was generous: it was not uncommon for strangers to be temporarily at home in their basement. Like Will Rogers, “Harold knew no strangers, only good friends he had not met. “
He is survived by his five children and their spouses: Gail and Susan Arnott of Wessington Springs, Neil and Jacquie Arnott of Ft. Walton Beach, FL, Ardell and Larry Johnson of Valley Springs, Dean and Lora Arnott of Zimmerman, MN, and Dave and Ginger Arnott of Midlothian, TX; his 13 grandchildren David Timothy Arnott (Evelyn), Amy Johnson, Jeremy Arnott, Stephen Arnott (Laura), Carl Johnson (Darcie), Emily Shum (Robert), Lindsay Macedo (Ricardo), Andrew Arnott, Chris Arnott, Lance Arnott (Bridget), Chelsea Arnott, Alex Arnott, and Rachel Arnott; and ten great-grandchildren. Also surviving him are his sisters Margaret Olson of Prineville, OR, Genevie Loving of Joshua Tree, CA and Dorothy Hein of Rapid City; his brothers George and his wife Ruby of Sioux Falls and Robert of Huron; three brothers –in-law Les Patton of Kenmore, WA, Paul Patton and wife Dorothy of Mitchell, SD, Arlo Tiede of Stanwood, WA and sister-in-law Eloise Patton, of Hemet, CA.
When asked to offer grace, he often prayed, “Lord we thank you for life.” His family and friends are thankful for his.
Condolences may be sent to: The Harold Arnott Family, Box 246, Valley Springs, SD 57068. Memorial gifts can be made to Central Christian College of Kansas, the American Legion of Valley Springs, or Beaver Valley Lutheran Church.
Friends are invited to celebrate his life well lived in services at Beaver Valley Lutheran Church at 26214 484th Ave, Valley Springs, SD at 10:00 on Monday, June 15. Interment will be at Prospect Hills Cemetery in Wessington Springs. Visitation will be Sunday at Heritage Funeral Home from 2:00 to 6:00 pm with the family present from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
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