Arthur Allen Arnold passed away Sunday, September 3rd surrounded by members of his family in Albany, New York. Art was born March 3, 1945, to Maurice and Hattie Arnold of Hinsdale, Montana. He was raised on the home place north of Hinsdale along with his siblings Johnnie, Richard, Joan, and Eugene. Art attended grades 1 through 8 at the Snake Creek School. Upon graduating from Hinsdale High School in 1963, Art attended Northern Montana College in Havre.
After college, Art put his mechanical skills to use at the Service Station in Hinsdale. It was during this time that he met his wife Carol Hoskamer who was teaching school in Saco. In April of 1967, Art and Carol were married in her hometown of Great Falls, Montana. Family and friends joined in the ceremony and continued the celebration at a local bar where they were treated to a surprise performance by Charley Pride.
In 1969, Art became an Equipment Operator and worked in road construction throughout the state of Montana. By 1976, Art moved back to Hinsdale full-time with his family to help operate his father’s farm. In 1980, Art and his brother Johnnie took over their father’s farm/ranch. Art chose to farm the land while his brother Johnnie chose to run cattle on the ranch.
With his belief in community involvement, it was no surprise that Art once again followed in his father’s footsteps and ran for County Commissioner of Valley County. Art won two elections (12 years) and served as both member and chairman as a Valley County Commissioner.
Throughout his personal and professional life, Art participated in many community organizations: 1. Chair and Officer of the Local and County Farmers Union Organization, 2. Volunteer for the Hinsdale Fire Department, 3. Member of the Operating Engineers Local 400, 4. TV District Board, 5. Elks, 6. Montana Association of Counties, 7. Member and Chair of the State and Local Youth Advisory Council for the Department of Family Services, 8. State Council for Job Training Partnership Act, 9. Community Representative for the Regional Human Resources Development Council and Council on Aging and 10. Montana Association of Counties.
In 1989, his son Jerry made Art a grandfather. His first-born grandchild was Kelcey. A few years later her sister, Tori, was born. Some years later, his daughter Amber gave him three more grandchildren Ashley, Chase, and James. Chase was Art’s first grandson and was given the name Chase Arthur to honor Art.
There were hard years in Art’s family with the passing of his wife and the care and passing of his mom. Circumstances led Art to a conversation with his high school sweetheart, Georgia Bowman. This conversation led to a renewed happiness in life for Art. In March of 2013, Art and Georgia married in Saugerties, New York. Art’s family grew the day he married Georgia. He then had more children and grandchildren to love and enjoy!
In February of 2016 his eldest grandchild Kelcey made Art a great-grandfather! Kelcey and Jake Knaff gave their first-born Art’s middle name, once again honoring him, Colt Allen. Art’s great-grandson blessings are Colt, Newt, and Flint.
Most people who knew Art would say he was kind and gentle, smart, funny, and great with kids. If you asked most people what they believed his passions were, they would say farming and his service to his community. If you ask those close to him, what Art’s passions were they would tell you “Caterpillar equipment”!
Whether it was blading new roads with a Cat motor grater or Cat dozer or summer fallowing with his Challenger, Art was like a young child on Christmas morning! Any day that he could drive or tinker with a Caterpillar was a great day for Art!
Another passion Art enjoyed was flying. He had nearly achieved his pilot’s license when the challenges of adult life steered his attention elsewhere. He loved flying with Daniel Jensen and the Jensen boys in their Cessnas at their airfield in Hinsdale.
Art also loved Model A cars! His latest joy was driving his new Model A in parades with his wife Georgia and his great-grandchildren.
No one enjoyed a good story like Art and no one told a better story than Art! With a cup of coffee in his hand, he would take us back in time with stories of his Father’s days or his own days growing up at the Home Place. There were stories of his Grandma making home-made bread and soap in the wood stove, lamb legs doctored by Uncle Howard, Grandpa, and his pals being chased out of Canada in an old Model A, the ‘ol horse who pulled him and siblings up the hill so they could ski down it. So many stories that just had the “darndest things” happen.
Art is survived by his wife, Georgia Arnold; sons and daughters: Jerry (Debbie) Arnold of Hinsdale, MT; Amber (Jim) Cummings of Falmouth, MA; Jennifer (Jeremy) Engelin of Catskill, NY; David (Jenn) Ricci of Troy, NY; Vick Ricci of Saugerties, NY –grandchildren: Kelcey (Jake) Knaff of Glasgow, MT; Travis Austin of Glasgow, MT; Ashley Sherman of Providence, RI; Chase Sherman of Rochester, MA; James Cummings of Falmouth, MA; Xavier Engelin of Catskill, NY; Gabriella Engelin of Catskill, NY– great-grandchildren: Colt, Newt, & Flint Knaff of Glasgow, MT—Siblings: Johnnie (Linda) Arnold of Hinsdale, MT; Christine Arnold of Shoshoni, WY; Joan (Bill) Hill of Hermiston, OR; Eugene (Sherri) Arnold of Laurel, MT—nephews and nieces: Mark (Deanna) Arnold of Hinsdale, MT; Michael Arnold of Perkins, OK; Jeff (Nancy) Caldwell of Hermiston, OR; David (Brenda) Caldwell of Hermiston, OR: Scott (Krista) Eaton of Florence, MT; Amy (Nick) DeTienne of Laurel, MT.
Art was predeceased by his wife, Carol Arnold; father, Maurice Arnold; mother, Hattie Arnold; brother, Richard Arnold; and granddaughter, Tori Arnold.
Art has asked that donations be made to the Hinsdale Lutheran Church in his honor or a charity of your choice. The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 14, 2023, from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Arnold Residence, 429 Wisconsin Street, Hinsdale, Montana 59241. Funeral services are Friday, September 15, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Hinsdale Lutheran Church in Hinsdale, Montana, with burial following in Hillview Cemetery. A reception will follow at the American Legion Hall in Hinsdale.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Thursday September 14, 2023
Arnold Home
429 Wisconsin Street
Hinsdale, Montana 59241
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday September 15, 2023
Hinsdale Lutheran Church
444 3rd Ave. N.
Hinsdale, Montana 59241
Luncheon
1:00 p.m.
Friday September 15, 2023
American Legion Post 45
Highway 2
Hinsdale, Montana 59241
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Thursday September 14, 2023
Arnold Home
429 Wisconsin Street
Hinsdale, Montana 59241
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday September 15, 2023
Hinsdale Lutheran Church
444 3rd Ave. N.
Hinsdale, Montana 59241
Luncheon
1:00 p.m.
Friday September 15, 2023
American Legion Post 45
Highway 2
Hinsdale, Montana 59241
Share
Carolyn Bachtold says
Art was a kind man! Thoughts and prayers for his family! Cherish the memories ✨️ 💖
BettyLou RipleyBeil says
Our prayers are with the family left behind. Art is in a better place. God Bless.
Fred and Betty Lou
Ronna Denny says
So many memories include this great man. He was a good good man. Genuine and true. My favorite story is him running over my Plymouth Colt. I still have the “Colt” piece from the grill. Amber and Jerry y’all are in my heart as you mourn the loss of this amazing man, dad and grandpa.
Judy Fossum says
I’m sorry to hear that. I always liked his friendliness.
Jim & Rose Cummings says
We always enjoyed when Art would visit Cape Cod. He was such a pleasure to talk with and be around. Our deepest sympathy to Jerry, Amber and the entire family. May Art rest in peace.
Clint Whitmer says
Fly high Art. I remember Art from MSU-Northern as a special friend. Always had a smile and a focus. Thanks, Art.