Frank B. Arnold

He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) as a cook and worked in Zigzag, Ore. In 1942, he joined the Navy, again as a cook. After his discharge in 1946, he met Gloria Wilson at the Mosier Creek swimming hole.

Their courtship involved many dances at the Elks Lodge and Legion Club. They were married four years later on May 14, 1950.

Frank worked in the fruit industry as an inspector, field man and packing house manager.

He was known to be quick on his feet, either as a guard on his town’s basketball team, scampering up and down river banks on fishing excursions or deer hunting trips, or scaling a stack of fruit bins stacked eight high in the cold storage. Frank had endless energy.

Frank loved to cook a big meal for guests and family. He cooked hundreds of breakfasts at the Hood River County Fair for numerous years as a fundraiser for his church. He also served up lots of spuds at the Harvest Fest (another fundraiser), always with a smile and humorous word for his patrons.

Frank enjoyed camping and fishing at Kingsley Reservoir, water skiing from the raft in front of the Best Western on the Columbia River and a good game of horseshoes or cribbage with family, friends, or neighbors. Frank never tired of playing a good practical joke on others.

When Gloria started attending Jazzercise classes in 1982, after she attended about three sessions, Frank said, “Why not me too?” So together, they exercised and made friends in those classes for over 30 years.

Frank especially liked dressing up for Halloween at Jazzercise and bringing in some of his homemade pickles for everyone to enjoy. He fed squirrels, chipmunks, seagulls, stray cats, birds, and if you happened to stick around the house for any length of time, he would offer you a snack too.

Frank loved to share time with his children and grandchildren. He taught them cooking, yard care, swimming and water skiing and was always there to help them on a house project. Above all, his favorite thing to do was help other people. He shuttled grandkids to classes, helped numerous widows at his church with small repairs and errand running.

No job was too big or small, and he did not believe in procrastinating about getting the job done. You only had to mention a job or task that you were thinking about and he was ready to help get it started that day!

His attitude always shined in a positive way. His standard answer to “How are you doing?” was “NEVER HAD IT SO GOOD!” He truly believed that his life was blessed and he wanted to spread that good cheer to others. His humor and good cheer will be missed by all that knew him.

Frank is survived by his wife, Gloria Arnold; children, Kate McBride (Rich), David Arnold (Cheryl), and Polly Arnold; grandchildren, Dana Huseby (Lane), Erin Huseby, Sara Arnold (Bret), Maranda Casey (Phillip), Megan Lane (Brady), Devin Green, Danielle Kuhnhausen (Tim), and Dixie Whittington; and great-grandchildren, Alysa Marsh, Phillip Casey V, Kahlil Casey, Da’Nayah Casey, Peyton Sherrell, T. J. Houston, Ethan Houston, Braden Lane, and Clifford Kuhnhausen.

He was predeceased by his parents, Frank J. and Grace Cross Arnold; siblings Howard Arnold, Florence Anderson, Jim Arnold, and Gordon Arnold; and great-grandson Fallon Lane.

Frank was a longtime member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and the BPOE No. 1507.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 7 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 400 11th St., Hood River.

Please send contributions in Frank’s name to the Memorial Fund of St. Mark’s Church or a charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank Hood River Care Center, Parkhurst Place and Providence Hospice of the Gorge for their care of Frank in the last eight months.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.