Robert “Bob” V. Arnold

Bob Arnold, age 90, passed away on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at his home in Jackson, Tennessee. 

 

He was born into a sharecropper family in Medon, Tennesssee on April 28, 1933 to the late Carl and Ella Mae Arnold.

 

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his daughter, Louellen Arnold; three brothers, Sam Arnold, Jim Arnold and Kenneth Arnold; and three sisters, Bertie Abbitt, Liz Tims and Katie Coley.

 

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Anne Arnold of Jackson; two sons, Beau Arnold and his wife Ballary of Medina and John Arnold and his wife Cassie of Jackson; two daughters, Meredith Marks and her husband Steve of Jackson and Patti Barnes and her husband Michael of Jackson.

 

Other survivors include twelve grandchildren, Carrie, Trey, Louanna, Ty, Bella, Justin, Kristin, Sue Ellen, James, Sara, Jozie and Cali; nine great grandchildren, Jack, Stella, Briana, Rylie, Ava James, Adrian, Vera Ellen, Mason and Miller; one great great granddaughter, Aubrey; and many nieces and nephews.

 

After being the only one in his family to go to college, he went on to become a husband, father, photographer, farmer, singer and song writer. He was the director of photography at the Jackson Sun for thirty-one years and was awarded photographer of the year in 1961 by the Tennessee Press Association. 

 

Bob, along with his photography department, won multiple awards for their news photography. He was one of the first photographers to photograph night time sports using only available light.

 

After leaving the Jackson Sun, he and his wife operated their own studio for seventeen years. Bob then retired and developed his passion for singing and song writing. He made many friends through music.

 

He was a good “used car finder” and helped many family members find a good deal. He could buy the car over the phone and have it held for him because he was kind, gentle and his word was his bond.

 

Bob was slow to act, but give him a night to sleep on it and he could solve any problem.

 

He came a long way from a sharecropping beginning, but always kind and simple to the very end. 

Play us one more song Dad.

 

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Sunday, December 3, 2023 at Brown’s Church Cemetery with Fate Britt officiating.