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Obituary for Donald J. Arnold
Arnold, Donald James, age 85 of Denver.
Our Dad is lovingly remembered not only a big man physically (standing 6’4”), but with a big heart as well, full of love and caring for a large circle of family and friends. He also had big hands which he worked with to earn a living and support his family, maintain his home and yard impeccably, putter in his garage, and reel in a few fish now and then. His favorite hobbies were fishing, listening to country music, and watching football games, especially the Denver Broncos.
Don was born on November 1, 1932 to John and Helen Arnold in Greeley, Colorado during the Great Depression. He was the fourth of six children who remained close even as adults. The family eventually moved to Denver, Colorado where he attended school until answering a call to get his GED and join the Army during the Korean Conflict, training at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin as a combat construction foreman.
Following his time in the Army, Don returned to Colorado and lived the remainder of his life in the south Denver, Englewood, and Littleton areas. He pursued a career as an appliance repair technician until his retirement in 1994. Many of those years he worked for May D&F and J.C. Penny’s making house calls to fix major appliances such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, and dishwashers.
Don fell in love and married Shirley Joan Palmer on October 6, 1955 in Englewood, Colorado. They had their daughter Brenda in 1956, followed by their son Barton in 1959. They were devoted both to each other and as parents, enjoying all the activities of raising their small family together. Don was devastated when Shirley was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1968 (she was only 34 yrs old) and cared for her tenderly until she passed away in 1973.
Don eventually fell in love again and married Delores (Dee) Malmgren on July 23, 1977 in Englewood, Colorado. He quickly bonded with her four grown children, (Liz, Sally, Gene and Scott) serving as a father and grandfather to them and their families too. Don and Dee enjoyed fishing trips together and made some memorable fishing trips with their grandchildren as well. They were able to enjoy traveling together to see a variety of places including several trips to Alaska. They also enjoyed occasional trips to test their luck at a casino or two in Blackhawk, Colorado. Don was again devastated when Dee passed away from heart disease in 2013.
Donald James Arnold passed away on October 11, 2018. He was preceded in death by his first wife Shirley Joan (Palmer), his second wife Delores (Malmgren), His parents John and Helen Arnold, three brothers Gordon, Marcus and Robert “Butch” Arnold, one sister VoGene Cooper, step-grandaughter Amy Malmgren, and niece Linda Ackland. He is survived by his sister Jackie Draper of Denver, Colorado, daughter Brenda Muller (Bruce) of Wasilla, Alaska, son Barton Arnold of Denver, Colorado, step-children Elizabeth Anderson (Jim) of Littleton, Colorado, Sally Brown of Denver, Colorado, Gene Woolford of Denver, Colorado, and Scott Malmgren of Cedaredge, Colorado. He is also survived by grandsons Simon Muller (Kerry) of Anchorage, Alaska, and Jacob Muller of Wasilla, Alaska, step-grandchildren Heather Kokx (Jeff) of Littleton, Colorado, Jennifer LaRock (Jared) of Centennial, Colorado, and William Brown of Denver, Colorado, great-grandchildren Bruce James Muller of Wasilla, Alaska, Ivy Joan Muller of Anchorage, Alaska, step great-grandchildren Anders and Ethan LaRock of Centennial, Colorado, and Joe Lewton, Don Elliot and Dev Elliot of of Highlands Ranch. Colorado, six nephews and seven nieces.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, November 9th at 2 p.m. at Fairmount Cemetery, 430 S. Quebec, Denver, Colorado 80247 (Block 106)
A Celebration of Life gathering will be held on Friday, November 9th, at 6 p.m. at the VFW Post 2461, 1350 S Broadway, Denver, Colorado 80210
Flowers can be sent to Fairmount Cemetery (for delivery on November 9th). Memorial donations can be made in his memory to a charity of the donor’s choice.
