Jerry Wayne Arnold, age 79, passed away February 23, 2024, after a 4-year battle with cancer.

The son of Grover and Clairece Arnold, Jerry grew up in Valdosta, Georgia, and attended Freed-Hardeman College in 1964.  He served his communities, neighbors and friends as a member of law enforcement for nearly 30 years, as a police officer with the Blytheville (Arkansas) Police Department and the Mississippi County (Arkansas) Sheriff's Department.

A proud veteran of the United States Air Force, Jerry enlisted at the age of 21. As part of this service, he served his country in the Vietnam War, primarily as part of the military police.  He valued this service highly and attained the rank of Sergeant.

Jerry is survived by his wife of almost 59 years, Yvonne T. Arnold; his daughters, Gayla Arnold, Susan Leedom and Leigh-Ann Arnold; his grandchildren, Lexy [Rob] Peltier and Colin Leedom; and his great-grandchildren, Elliana Peltier and Cooper Peltier.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Grover and Clairece Arnold, and his siblings, David Arnold, Charles Arnold, Jean Sutton and Jeweldine Black.

His loved ones will remember his kindness, sense of humor, how he always saw the good in people, and how everyone was just a friend he hadn't met yet.

A service honoring Jerry's life will be held at Brandon Church of Christ on March 6, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., followed by burial at Sarasota National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Brandon Church of Christ where Jerry was a faithful member and deacon.