The man who led the Cherokee County School System for over 20 years has died.
Ed Arnold was first elected Superintendent back in 1972 and he held that job well into the 1990’s.
Arnold, who was a Jacksonville State University Graduate, started his career in education with a teaching and coaching job at his alma mater Cedar Bluff High School in 1960.
In 1965, he taught a year at Sand Rock, where he is credited with starting the football program.
He went back to Cedar Bluff the following year.
He then served as Principal at Centre Elementary School before running for Superintendent.
In an interview during the 90’s with the Cherokee Herald, Arnold credited good communication for his longevity as Superintendent, adding, “Communication is vital to anyone working in the education field.”
In the same interview, Arnold said that he found, in general, that if you treat people with respect, they will do the same.
Arnold passed away Saturday at Redmond Regional Medical Center in Rome. He was 79.
(photo courtesy of the Cherokee Herald)
SERVICES:
Mr. Henry Edmund Arnold, Jr. age 79 of Centre, passed away Saturday, September 28th at Redmond Regional Medical Center.
Funeral services will be 4: PM Tuesday, October 1st at Perry Funeral Home Chapel with Paul Whitcomb officiating; burial will follow at Cherokee Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends from 1 until 4: PM Tuesday.
Pallbearers include Freddy Reynolds, Jimmy Jimmerson, Jeff Grimes, Wallace Lyons, Mitchell Guice, Harry Richardson, Billy W. Tillery and Harold Pearson.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Sarah Miller, Billy Godfrey, Cindy Ray, South Alabama Executive Committee, Hollis & Billy Sue Neyman, Billy & Patsey Baker, Bro. Sammy Stabler, Doug Henderson, J.W. Lockridge, Dr. Barton Perry and Jerry Mack West.
Survivors include sons, Michael Arnold of Centre, Ben (Kay) Arnold of Centre; daughters, Lynn (Choyce) Chadwick of Auburn, Jeanne Arnold of Dallas, GA; sister, Gail (Jim) Rodgers of Centre; sister-in-law, Gail Arnold of Centre; grandchildren, Kerr Arnold, Ashlyn (Ryan) Roberts, Nick (Anna) Wheeler, Kari Arnold; special caretakers, Frankie Ashley & Rena Dupree.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Shirley Curry Arnold; brother, Mack Arnold; sister, Elizabeth Norton.
Mr. Arnold was a native of Cherokee County, the son of the late Henry Edmund and Letha Mae McMillan Arnold, Sr., served 6 terms (24 years) as Cherokee County Superintendent of Education and was a member of Centre First United Methodist Church.