Randall Gene Arnold

Mr. Randall Gene "Butch" Arnold, 63, of Mount Airy, and husband of Susan Thacker Arnold, passed away Sunday, February 15, 2009, at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Mr. Arnold was born July 13, 1945, in Smyth County, Virginia, to the late Joseph Bruce and Virginia Taylor Arnold. Mr. Arnold was a graduate of Marion High School and Marion Junior College. He received his undergraduate degree from Appalachian State University and his Masters of Education from North Carolina A&T University. Mr. Arnold was an educator for 35 years in the Davidson County School System, where he was a teacher, assistant principal, and principal at Tyro Middle School. He then worked until retirement at the Davidson County School System Administrative Office, where he was Director of Purchasing and Business Operations and later became Executive Director of Fiscal Affairs. Mr. Arnold was a member of Salem United Methodist Church, where he was church treasurer, men's group treasurer, and trustee. Surviving are his wife, Susan Thacker Arnold of the home; a daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer "J.J." and Jason Yarbrough of Lexington; three grandchildren, Alex, Ethan, and Seth Yarbrough; his mother-in-law, Nancy Jane Thacker of Mount Airy; children by marriage, Sarah Qualkenbush of Mocksville and Elizabeth Norris and her spouse, Brian, of Lexington; grandchildren by marriage, Madison and Jacob Qualkenbush and Lydia Norris; four sisters, Mickey Arnold of Advance, Anne Arnold of Atkins, VA, Judy Dishner of Marion, VA, and Janice Martin and her spouse, Bob, of Atkins, VA; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Arnold was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph Donald Arnold; a sister-in-law, Betty Arnold; and a niece, Kelly Martin Calahan. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, February 18, 2009, at 2:00 PM at Salem United Methodist Church, with the service conducted by the Rev. Dennis W. "Bud" Cameron and the Rev. J. Dwight Cartner. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday night from 6:30 to 8:30 at Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy, where his body will remain until carried to the church to lie-in-state 30 minutes prior to the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the Salem United Methodist Church Building Fund, 124 Myers Drive, Mount Airy, NC 27030. A special thanks from the Arnold family to the 6th floor cardiac unit and the 9th floor Cancer Center at Forsyth Medical Center and to Dr. David Duncan, Dr. Nick Chrysson, and Mr. Richard Burleson.