Murray George Arnold Jr. passed away at Sierra View Senior Living at the age of 98.
Memorial service will be held on July 9th at 12:00 p.m. at the Penn Valley Cemetery in Penn Valley, California.
Murray George Arnold Jr. was born September 16, 1925, in Lancaster, Ohio. At sixteen-years-old he joined the U.S. Navy during World War Two. He was stationed on the USS Hollandia (CVE-97), a Casablanca-class escort carrier, which was a part of the Third Fleet when the US dropped the Atomic Bomb on Japan.
In July of 1946 he was honorably discharged from the Navy at Alameda Naval Air Station.
In 1948 he went to San Francisco on vacation and never left. He was married to Tina (since deceased) and they had 2 children, Terri and Murray Arnold III. Then in 1965 he moved to Sacramento and met Marilyn, his wife of 55 years (since deceased).
He worked at the Pacific Bell Phone Company for 35 years, starting as an installer/repairman and worked his way up to the commercial real estate department. In 1982 he retired from Pac Bell and worked with Riche and Riche as a realtor. In 1988 they moved to Penn Valley and opened his own real estate company.
From his 2 children he has 7 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren (the youngest being Murray V).
Murray became a heavyweight boxer, known as “Sailor Arnold” while stationed in Santa Rosa.
With his military experience he volunteered as special deputy in Sonoma County, acting as a “bouncer” at bars.
While working for Pac Bell, he played semi-professional football for fun and became head coach for 2 years. Murray loved to be on the water. He owned a boat and would take fishing trips with his son and friends on the Sacramento River. He enjoyed spending time at Lake Shasta or San Francisco Bay. He also loved Bodega Bay and Dillon Beach. He caught a marlin in Cabo and also went Parasailing there.
Murray loved baseball and organized bus trips to games. As a senior he played on a local league in Penn Valley. He earned his black belt in Jiu Jitsu in 2009 (at the age of 85).
He started oil painting at the early age of 80 years old. He also went skydiving on his 80th, 84th, 85th and 90th birthdays.
Murray started volunteering in various areas, animal rescue, volunteer sheriff’s dept., and the Rodeo Association for 17 years. In addition, he was a board member for the Penn Valley Chamber of Commerce for 14 years.
The Rodeo Association gave him the title of Member Emeritus and was Grand Marshall in 2007.
In 2014 he received an award from the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation for Exceptional volunteer service signed by President Obama.
Murray was a true renaissance man; an influencer simply by being himself. He had an excellent standard of service towards others which is a true inspiration. He loved his family and loved to live life to the fullest. As one who was born in the Greatest Generation, he will truly be missed by all.
Survivors Daughter Theresa Arnold of Sacramento, California and son Murray Arnold III of Onalaska, Texas
Preceded in Death Mother Thelma Brooks, Father Murray Arnold Sr. and Marilyn Arnold wife and love of his life.
