Gerald W. Arnold
Marriages
Sylvia Ann Ethington - 1957
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 6A Obituary - September 12, 2017
Gerald W. Arnold
February 17, 1928 - September 5, 2017
Gerald W. Arnold, 89, of Grand Junction, CO, passed away September 5, 2017.
Mr. Arnold was born February 17, 1928, to Walter Bryon and Mary Cross Arnold. He was the oldest of three boys born to Walter and Mary. The boys grew up on the family dairy farm in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
The barn on that family farm is at the base of Steamboat
Mountain and recently has been in the news as there is a
campaign to preserve and protect it and its legacy.
Gerald earned his BA from the University of Colorado in
Boulder and upon graduation joined the United States Coast
Guard where he served our country for three years. Upon return
from the service, Gerald began his career as an accountant at
Chevron and he later became a Commissioned Agent. That lead
to becoming a full line Distributor and he owned the Chevron
Bulk Plant on South 5th Street in Grand Junction. He prided
himself on delivering fuel through rain, snow, sleet and hail all
over Western Colorado. He married Sylvia Ann Ethington in
1957 and that union produced two sons, Phillip and Brian. They
later divorced.
A father, grandfather, brother and uncle, he was an example of
hard work and dedication. He inspired his sons and
grandchildren to remain determined and ambitious in all things.
He lived life fully and demonstrated a balance of work and play
leads to fulfillment in life. Gerald sponsored little league
baseball in Grand Junction and was a Colorado Rockies fan. He
loved to attend the JUCO tournament and see the Grand
Junction Rockies play at Suplizio Field. He also loved to sneak
off to a casino when he could.
Gerald was an avid boater and took time off every summer for
over 55 years to enjoy boating and houseboating at Lake Powell
with family and firends. The tradition continues to this day with
his sons and their families. The memories will be cherished
forever.
Retirement brought new opportunities allowing Gerald to
travel, spend winters in Arizona and play golf. He made many
friends at his home in Horizon Towers where a daily game of
pool was a highlight for him.
Mr. Arnold is survived by his youngest brother, Glenn (Helen)
of Grand Junction; sister-in-law, Ann Arnold of Tucson, AZ;
sons, Phil (Christi) of Hotchkiss, CO, and Brian (Audrey) of
Phoenix, AZ. He was also the loving grandpa to grandchildren,
Brandon (Tara), Ashley Ann, Dallan (Ashley), Cara (Josh) and
Kyle (Bailey); four great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Mary
Arnold and brother, Harold Arnold.
We will miss your smile, your laugh and your wise cracks. We
will miss your love of root beer. We will always miss you at
Lake Powell, on the golf course or at the baseball game. Your
spirit lives on and we will cling to your favorite line "I’ll see you
people later..."
A Memorial service is planned for Saturday, September 23,
2017, at 1:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints Chapel at 2949 Highway 50 in Grand Junction followed
by a Celebration for Gerald with family and friends at Horizon
Towers, 1111 Horizon Drive in Grand Junction, Colorado.
