Forest Loyd Arnold, Sr., 77, Springfield, Mo. passed away February 19, 2011 in his home in Springfield. He was born in Kulin, Mo. Forest graduated from Puxico High School, Puxico, MO in 1952. He attended Memphis State University (Now University of Memphis) 1952-1956. He received his Masters at University of Memphis 1964-1965. Forest was an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God 55 years. Also was college professor at Central Bible College in Springfield for 42 years and retired in 2000. He was the first full-time basketball coach for Evangel University, and established the athletic program at Central Bible College.
Forest married Virginia Houchin Arnold November 22, 1953 in Memphis, Tenn. He was a member of the Assemblies of God. He was the first All-American basketball player for the University of Memphis and still holds the following records at the University of Memphis: He was the third leading rebounder and the fifth leading scorer, and one of three players who scored at least 1000 points and 1000 rebounds in basketball. His jersey was retired by the school and continues to hang in the FedEx dome in Memphis. At the conclusion of his college years, he was drafted by the St. Louis Hawks (now the Atlanta Hawks) to play professional basketball, but he chose, instead, to enter the ministry. Central Bible College awarded him the Distinguished Educator Award, and he was a professor emeritus for Central Bible College.
His heart was in missionary work. He and his wife have ministered extensively in the countries of Thailand, Burma, Vietnam, Russia and Ukraine.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rubin and Bertha Arnold; two brothers, Floyd and Orby Arnold; and one sister, Dorothy Arnold Jackson Massey.
Survivors include: Wife, Virginia Arnold; four children (and spouses), Synthia Arnold Cathcart and Randall Cathcart, Forest Arnold, Jr. and Sharon Waugh Arnold, Kenneth Arnold and Julie George Arnold, and Katheryn Arnold Fontanez. He was also survived by 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on February 25, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. Visitation will be be in Greenlawn Funeral Home East on February 24, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m..
A private burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery on February 25, 2011
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be made to the Forest Arnold Memorial Foundation, Coast Community Church, 3141 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563. The foundation supports mission activities that were important to his heart.