LANCASTER, S.C. - John R. "Pete" Arnold, 75, of Lancaster, S.C., formerly of Beckley, died Sunday, May 3, following a long illness.

Pete was the eldest of four children of the late George Thelbert "Bud" and Olga Marie "Crissie" Nunn Arnold. Born in Ingram Branch, W.Va., on May 30, 1939, he grew up in Beckley, where he graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1957.

He earned a B.S. degree in education from Concord College in 1961, and a Master of Arts degree in American and European history from Marshall University in 1964. He also completed post graduate work in educational administration from Marshall University.

Before moving to South Carolina, Pete was a faculty member and an administrator in West Virginia schools from 1961-70. He taugh history, civics and speech at Shady Spring High School, and at Man junior high and high schools, He also served as the assistant principal of Man High School, and as the Director of the Logan (WV) campus of Marshall University.

He joined the history faculty at the University of South Carolina at Lancaster in the fall of 1970 and was named the school's "Outstanding Professor" in 1971-72. During his 24-year tenure, he rose from assistant professor to Dean, the top administrative position. He served as Dean from 1982 to 1994, when he retired at the age of 55.

He subsequently was named both Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History and Dean Emeritus of the USCL campus.

A month after Pete's retirement, Gov. Carroll Campbell awarded him The Order of the Palmetto, the state's highest civilian honor for lifetime achievements and contributions to South Carolina. The General Assembly that same month passed a resolution of appreciation "for his outstanding service to higher education."

Pete was a popular speaker and master of ceremonies for a variety of audiences, and perhaps more than anything else, he was known by his friends for his wit, his ever-present sense of humor, and for his love of music - especially folk, country and Bluegrass.

Survivors from the closely knit family he loved dearly include a brother, Dr. George T. Arnold, of Lancaster; a sister, Patty Arnold Noll, and her husband, Alan, of Lancaster; a sister, Marilyn Arnold Meyers, and her husband, Rich, of Tampa, Fla.; and his former wife, Jackie Lee Arnold, of Lancaster.

Additional survivors include nieces Renee S. Noll of New York City, Alexandria Carter and her husband, Rick, of Beckley, Britney Smith and Taylor Smith of Grandview, and Audrey Noll of Tampa, Fla.; nephews Craig Arnold Noll and his wife, Jenn, of Tampa, Fla., Zack Amick of Beckley and Ashton McGuire of Grandview; three aunts, one uncle, and numerous cousins.

Visitation was at Lancaster Funeral Home, 709 North White Street. The funeral was Friday, May 8th, at the First United Methodist Church, 200 W Gay Street in Lancaster, with the Rev. Charles Phillips officiating. Entombment will be in Mausoleum B at Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley, West Virginia.

LANCASTER, S.C. - John R. "Pete" Arnold, 75, of Lancaster, S.C., formerly of Beckley, died Sunday, May 3, following a long illness.

Pete was the eldest of four children of the late George Thelbert "Bud" and Olga Marie "Crissie" Nunn Arnold. Born in Ingram Branch, W.Va., on May 30, 1939, he grew up in Beckley, where he graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1957.

He earned a B.S. degree in education from Concord College in 1961, and a Master of Arts degree in American and European history from Marshall University in 1964. He also completed post graduate work in educational administration from Marshall University.

Before moving to South Carolina, Pete was a faculty member and an administrator in West Virginia schools from 1961-70. He taugh history, civics and speech at Shady Spring High School, and at Man junior high and high schools, He also served as the assistant principal of Man High School, and as the Director of the Logan (WV) campus of Marshall University.

He joined the history faculty at the University of South Carolina at Lancaster in the fall of 1970 and was named the school's "Outstanding Professor" in 1971-72. During his 24-year tenure, he rose from assistant professor to Dean, the top administrative position. He served as Dean from 1982 to 1994, when he retired at the age of 55.

He subsequently was named both Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History and Dean Emeritus of the USCL campus.

A month after Pete's retirement, Gov. Carroll Campbell awarded him The Order of the Palmetto, the state's highest civilian honor for lifetime achievements and contributions to South Carolina. The General Assembly that same month passed a resolution of appreciation "for his outstanding service to higher education."

Pete was a popular speaker and master of ceremonies for a variety of audiences, and perhaps more than anything else, he was known by his friends for his wit, his ever-present sense of humor, and for his love of music - especially folk, country and Bluegrass.

Survivors from the closely knit family he loved dearly include a brother, Dr. George T. Arnold, of Lancaster; a sister, Patty Arnold Noll, and her husband, Alan, of Lancaster; a sister, Marilyn Arnold Meyers, and her husband, Rich, of Tampa, Fla.; and his former wife, Jackie Lee Arnold, of Lancaster.

Additional survivors include nieces Renee S. Noll of New York City, Alexandria Carter and her husband, Rick, of Beckley, Britney Smith and Taylor Smith of Grandview, and Audrey Noll of Tampa, Fla.; nephews Craig Arnold Noll and his wife, Jenn, of Tampa, Fla., Zack Amick of Beckley and Ashton McGuire of Grandview; three aunts, one uncle, and numerous cousins.

Visitation was at Lancaster Funeral Home, 709 North White Street. The funeral was Friday, May 8th, at the First United Methodist Church, 200 W Gay Street in Lancaster, with the Rev. Charles Phillips officiating. Entombment will be in Mausoleum B at Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley, West Virginia.