John Eric Arnaud 1961-2012

ARNAUD REITZ DEE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/23/2012 at 22:55:08

Sioux City Journal
November 13, 2012

SIOUX CITY | John Eric Arnaud, 51, of Nevada, Iowa, formerly of Sioux City and Ames, Iowa, went to be with his Lord on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012, at the Israel Family Hospice House.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Heartland Baptist Church in Ames. Visitation of family and friends will be 5 to 8 p.m. today at Stevens Memorial Chapel in Ames. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service Wednesday at the church. Online condolences may be left at www.StevensMemorialChapel.com.

John was born in Tacoma, Wash., on June 14, 1961, to Walter and Juanita Arnaud. He graduated from Sioux City North High School in 1979 and attended Iowa State University until 1982.

John married Brenda Reitz in 1983 and to this union, John was blessed with his first son, Austen. They later divorced. He then married Misty Dee in 2009.

While a student at Sioux City North, John was an accomplished athlete. He was a high jumper who still holds the school record and was a member of the Iowa High School Hall of Fame. He was clearing seven feet in the high jump long before anyone thought it possible. John was a four-time letter winner at Iowa State, where he played strong safety for Donnie Duncan and was known as the "Land Shark." Following college, John played in the USFL as a defensive back for the Michigan Panthers, Memphis Showboats, Chicago Blitz and the Denver Gold. He was a member of the 1983 championship team while at Michigan.

John was always laughing and smiling. He loved his friends and is remembered as a tough guy who was still a giving and dependable man. John was a strong warrior who loved the Cyclones and the Dallas Cowboys. Even with his love for sports being so strong, John loved his family more than anything.

John is survived by his wife, Misty of Nevada; his children, Austen (Natalie Hashemi-Toroghi) Arnaud of Ames, and Ashten and Alexandria Arnaud of Nevada; his parents, Walter Arnaud Sr. of Rosedale, La., and Juanita Singleton of DeSoto, Texas; brothers, Bobby (Dorothy) Arnaud of Atlanta, Ga., and Walter Arnaud Jr. of Dallas, Texas; sister, Tracey Arnaud of Duncanville, Texas; his former wife, Brenda (Carson) Sinclair of Ames; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Troy Arnaud; and his grandparents.

As a show of sympathy, memorial contributions should be directed to the family C/O Heartland Baptist Church, 3504 Grand Avenue, Ames, IA 50010.