James Darrell Arnold

December 20, 1936-March 2, 2025, James Darrell Arnold, age 88, of Creal Springs, Illinois, passed from this life into the arms of Jesus on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Marion, Illinois VA Medical Center CLC facility. James was born December 20, 1936, in Leachville, Arkansas, the son of the late Bert Thomas Arnold and the late Savannah Belle Arnold. They moved to a farm outside of Malden, Missouri where James was joined by 13 brothers and sisters. James was the ninth child. James married his loving wife of 64 years, Barbara Nickless Arnold on July 14, 1958, in Campbell, Missouri at the Campbell General Baptist Church. Barbara preceded James in death on June 27, 2022. James graduated from Campbell, Missouri High School and obtained an associate’s degree from SIU in Edwardsville, Illinois. James joined the United States Navy right out of high school and served on Aircraft carriers in the Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean during the last of the Korean Conflict. James went on to work at Emerson Electric before moving to McDonnell Douglas for the remainder of his career. He was an engineer who worked on the aircraft and Space programs of which he was very proud. James and his wife lived in O’Fallon, Missouri for most of their married life before retiring and moving to Marion, Illinois and then to Creal Springs, Illinois. In O’Fallon, James was a member of the O’Fallon Christian Church where he served as an elder. When they moved to Creal Springs, they joined Heartland Christian Church of Marion, Illinois where he also served as an elder. After Barbara’s death, James attended Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. James was an avid gardener. He always produced more vegetables than could ever be eaten! He also raised grapes, blueberries and blackberries. Gardening was his passion, and we all benefited from it. He loved to mow and landscape and do anything outside. His yards were always beautiful with flowers and shrubs. James also loved woodworking, bowling, fishing, hunting, camping and playing softball. He played fast pitch softball for the Navy. His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will always cherish the memories of camping at Montauk State Park in Missouri every year as a tradition. Another precious memory was camping on the Gasconade River in Missouri on a lot we owned with our dear friends the Moyers. James loved sports and was an avid jogger. Many Saturday mornings he would drag us out of bed to go running and then we would come back and have his wonderful old fashion breakfast of eggs, bacon, gravy and biscuits. There were also many meals of barbecued ribs and pork steaks! James loved the Lord, the church, his family, his occupation and his friends! He could tell many a story to a willing listener. James is survived by a daughter and a son, Tami and the late Jim Claycomb of Belleville, Illinois and Tim and Roxann Arnold of Creal Springs, Illinois. He has 11 grandchildren, Courtney (Tyler) Shadowens, Hunter (Mariah) Arnold, Luke (Megan) White, Brooke (Lane) Hutson, Halle (Collin) Koker, Cassi (Josh) Turnage, Chase (Shaylie) Arnold, Tony (Leslie) Stovall, Carrie (Aaron) Kaufman, Caitlin (Steve) Wightman, and Nathan Claycomb (deceased). James has 23 great grandchildren. He has many nieces and nephews and other extended family and friends. In celebration of his wonderful life, visitation will be Monday, March 10, 2025, from 9:00 AM-10:30 AM with the funeral service and military honors starting right after at 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM at Blue Funeral Home, Marion, Illinois with the Rev. Ben Taylor officiating. Burial will follow at 1:00 PM at Mounds National Cemetery in Mound City, Illinois. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Marion, Illinois VA Medical Center CLC facility under James D. Arnold’s name. Please visit www.binkleyross.com to leave condolences online.