James Lee Arnold

James Lee "Jim" Arnold age 88 of Lakeside Village, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2021 at his residence.

Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M., Friday, April 2, 2021 at the Kopperl Methodist Church in Kopperl, Texas. Rev. Kent Berry and Rev. Dr. Allen Goss will officiate. Family will receive visitors from 5 P.M. until 7 P.M., Thursday, April 1, 2021 at Lawson Funeral Home in Meridian. Pallbearers will be Michael Bryant, Matt Byrant, Adam Remeny, Justin Dowdy, Brian Zajac, and Craig Sandy.

Jim Arnold was born on October 28, 1932 in Barnsdall, Oklahoma to Robert E. and Geneva Arnold. His earthly life ended March 29, 2021 at home in Lakeside Village, Texas. He graduated from Dallas Sunset High School and earned his Bachelors and Masters degrees from East Texas State University where he was a member of the football and track teams. He served three years in the United States Air Force as a First Lieutenant/Navigator. His 30 year career as a high school administrator, teacher and coach was spent in Carlsbad, New Mexico and Carrollton, Texas. Jim retired as Athletic Director of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD in 1988. He was President of the Texas High School Athletic Director's Association in 1983-84 and was named Texas High School Athletic Director of the Year by that organization in 1985. Former long time residents of Carrollton, the Arnolds moved to Lakeside Village near Lake Whitney in 1996. They loved to travel and were active in their church and community. They visited all fifty states plus Canada, Mexico, Europe, Scandinavia, China, Australia, Central and South America and Morocco. Jim was especially devoted to his family. He was a member of the Kopperl United Methodist Church.

Left to cherish his memories are his wife of 67 years, Jo Anne; daughters, Lee Anne Bryant and husband, David, of Celina, Brenda Nesbitt and husband, Gary, of Buena Vista, Colorado, Cindy Remeny and husband, Craig, of Georgetown; beloved grandchildren, Michael Bryant and wife, Bethany, Matthew Bryant and wife, Elise, Amanda Sandy and husband, Craig, Lindsey Dowdy and husband, Justin, Erin Zajac and husband, Brian, Morgan Remeny and Adam Remeny; great-grandchildren, Riley, Kaylee, Emory, Reagan, Landry, Madison, Harper, Casen, Emmalyn and Cooper; sister, Mary Lou Behne and husband, David, of College Station; numerous other relatives and friends.

Preceded in death by his parents, Robert Earl and Geneva May Todd Arnold;  and infant sister, LaDonna May.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to:

Kopperl United Methodist Church
P.O. Box 89
Kopperl, Texas 76652

Arrangements were made by Lawson Funeral Home, Meridian, Texas 254-435-2792 .