Obituary of George Oscar Arnold

George Arnold, of Yorkton, beloved husband of Loraine, passed away on Monday, December 7th 2020 at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre. He was 96 years of age. George Oscar Arnold was born in Stalwart, Saskatchewan, April 16, 1924. His father was Emil Arnold and his mother was Helen Weaver Arnold. George was the oldest child and had four siblings; Bernard, Ted, Don and Sheila. He attended school in Stalwart, Saskatchewan. Out of high school, in 1942, George joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and received basic training in Toronto, Ontario, after undergoing War Emergency Training in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. He was trained as an emergency fireman on the crash truck to deal with airport emergencies and posted to Davidson, Saskatchewan. In 1945, the base in Davidson was closed and George and company were shipped by train to Yorkton (which would play a significant role in his future years). As the war was ending, he was posted briefly to Winnipeg and then to Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. George was discharged from the service in 1946. During the war, in 1943, George met Loraine Elizabeth Mooney on a blind date; they were eventually married in the chapel on the air base in Portage La Prairie in 1946. After discharge, George tried farming seed potatoes and Loraine taught school in High Bluff, Manitoba. The market was depressed and George and Loraine moved back to Saskatchewan. Their first child, Lynne, was born shortly thereafter. George moved his small family to Bellevue, Alberta, where he could earn a living working in the coal mines. He was initially a timber packer and then became a miner. While living in the mountains, two more children were born-Barry in 1950 and Wendy in 1952. As the mines began to peter out, George and family decided to move back to the prairies of Saskatchewan and ended up in Imperial. George worked as a mechanic in a garage in Imperial. Another boy, Bryce, arrived in 1953. About that time, Loraine's mother died and the ever growing family moved into her house. Shortly thereafter,1955, the last girl baby, Tanya, was born. The house in Imperial was sold and the family moved to the Emil Arnold family farm at Stalwart. In 1957, Murray, the last child, was born. So, after ten years of marriage, many moves and six children, George and Loraine settled on the farm, quite positive it would be home for many years to come. George drove a school bus to supplement the farm income and Loraine began teaching again. The next year, George became a grain buyer and went to work in the grain elevator in Stalwart. The Arnolds enjoyed the next years as a typical Saskatchewan farm family, enjoying work, learning, music and horses. Unfortunately, the elevator closed in 1969, necessitating another move for the Arnold family. George found work with Saskatchewan Government Insurance in Yorkton and the whole family once again hit the road and ended up in Yorkton. Later, George was successful as a salesman for Pioneer Life and was able to travel to the Bahamas and Jamaica as rewards for his achievements. Later George became a school bus driver for the Yorkdale Unit and eventually moved up to be bossman at the garage, responsible for the scheduling of the buses and supervision of all the drivers. Loraine taught Grade one in the Yorkton City School System. Upon retirement, George and Loraine eventually sold their house and moved to the Bentley, a retirement home in Yorkton. Several years later they moved to the Crossings Retirement Home. During all of this time, George was involved with the Yorkton Legion; he has been a lifetime member since 1997, Legionnaire of the Year in 1999, received the 75th Anniversary Medal in 2001 and received his 60 year membership pin in 2018. He often represented the Legion in Yorkton schools at Remembrance Day Ceremonies and participated in the November 11 Legion Color Party. George enjoyed fishing, reading, curling, bowling, cribbage and golf and spent many of his leisure hours in later life enjoying these pastimes. His family was a source of great pride and satisfaction as all the children became successful and honorable citizens and proud bearers of the Arnold name. George and Loraine were married more than 74 years. George was predeceased by his father, Emil, mother, Helen, and brother Bernard, Left to remember and honor him are his wife, Loraine, his children, Lynne (Marvin) Chambers, Barry (Judy Kazakoff), Wendy (Tom) Goodhand, Bryce (Della), Tanya (Fred Bowen) and Murray (Darlene), numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; also a sister Sheila (Erwin) Yunker, and a brother, Don Arnold, and their families. The funeral service was held on Friday, December 11th 2020 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Crystal Bailey officiating. Members of the Royal Canadian Legion, Gen. Alexander Ross branch #77, Yorkton formed the Color Party and gave the Legion Tribute Service. Rev. Richard Gibson was the Padre. The interment took place in the Garden of Memories. George's son Murray was the urnbearer. Service Details. Service When: Friday, December 11th, 2020 1:00pm Officiant: Crystal Bailey, Certified Celebrant Interment Location: Yorkton Memorial Gardens Address: Highway #10 East YORKTON, SK Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event Ongoing Online Event About this event In Loving Memory Of George Arnold April 16, 1924 - December 7, 2020 Look inside to read what others have shared Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. View Tribute Book