John W. Arnold

Sun City, Arizona- Kansas native, John Wilson "J.W." Arnold, 93, died January 7, 2008 at Royal Oaks Health Care Center in Sun City, AZ. He was born in Westmoreland, KS August 31, 1914, the only child of Robert L. and Nelle S. Arnold. He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Delta Julien Arnold and half-siblings, Joe and Ted Arnold, Janette Grutzmacher and Margaret Gibson. Mr. Arnold graduated from Wamego High School in 1932. Between 1933 and 1940 he worked for Skelly Oil and John Deere. He moved to Sun City in 1971 when he retired after 27 years with the Boeing Airplane Company in Wichita, KS where he was Assistant to the Quality Control Director. He also engaged in real estate, securities, retail hardware, ranching, construction, chinchilla breeding plus a dozen small businesses. He was active as an officer in many of the organizations affiliated with these businesses. He was a 32nd degree Mason and member of the Albert Pike Lodge #0303 of Wichita as well as East Heights United Methodist Church. He and his wife were early members of the First Christian Church of Sun City, and numerous investment and square dancing clubs in both Wichita and Sun City. After retiring to Arizona, Mr. Arnold built and sold homes in Sun City, Sun City West and Lake Havasu. Mr. Arnold is survived by daughters Jane Jurik of New Orleans, LA, Sue Dyke and her husband Terry of Shawnee, OK; grandchildren, Jennifer Jurik of Tacoma, WA, Matthew Jurik and wife Melissa of The Woodlands, TX, David Dyke and wife Dawn of Jenks, OK, and Andrew Dyke of Meeker, OK; three great grandchildren, Abigail Lane Dyke, Jacob Julien Dyke and Lena Ray Jurik. Funeral services were held January 12, 2008 at First Christian Church of Sun City, AZ. His life will be celebrated with a memorial service Monday, February 4 at 10 a.m. at the Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego, KS followed by burial at Wamego City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations may be made to American Indian Christian Mission (AICM), 924 Mission Lane #1, Show Low, AZ 85901.