Tom Allen Arnold (1916-2014)

ARNOLD, MANNING

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 5/10/2014 at 10:46:43

Obituary From Adams Soderstrum Funeral Home, Story County, Iowa.

Tom Allen Arnold was born January 3, 1916 in Essex, Missouri (in the ‘boot heel’), and was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Isabel Arnold, sister, Mildred, and brother, Joe. Tom and Mary Manning were married in 1954 in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Married nearly 50 years, Mary passed away April 18, 2004. He is survived by a daughter, Carol, of Minneapolis, MN, and a son, Tracy, of Plano, TX.

Growing up in Hot Springs, Arkansas, he was a strong athlete, playing basketball, and even boxing competitively. In 1939, Tom enlisted in the United States Army, later serving in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, and retired in 1966 as a Colonel.

Following his military retirement, he graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a M.S. degree in Library Science. In 1968 he joined the faculty at Iowa State University, retiring in 1979 as the Director of the Circulation Department at the university library.

Tom and Mary kept active in retirement, traveling around the country, visiting family and friends. Always a voracious reader, Tom served as the President of the Board of Trustees of the Ames Public Library during its capital campaign and 1985 expansion. He loved living in Ames, Iowa State sports, and most of all, reading.

Tom passed away at 98 years of age on Saturday, April 19, 2014 at Bethany Manor.

Memorial contributions can be directed to the Ames Public Library.

APR 23 Memorial Service 02:00PM
Adams Funeral Home & Cremation Service
502 Douglas Avenue
Ames, IA, US, 50010

APR 23 Graveside Military Honors 02:45PM
Ames Municipal Cemetery
310 E 9th St.
Ames, IA, US

http://www.adamssoderstrum.com/
 

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