Dennis Lee Arnold

ROY - Dennis Lee Arnold passed away recently at his home in Roy, Utah. Dennis was born on April 18, 1931 in San Jose. He was the only son of Elva Leah Rice and Rome Dilley Arnold, but was raised most of his life by his mom Elva and his stepfather Walter (Walt) Welton who were married in 1937. He had one sister, Joan, who he was very close to all his life.

Dad graduated from Campbell Union H.S. in 1949 and then joined the military in 1952 to become a proud Marine. He spent 8 years total on active duty and in the reserves. His specialty in the Marines was as an Aerial Photographer. He had tremendous skills in the photography field, which was a very important part of his entire life. Most of his life he had his own darkroom and took thousands of beautiful photographs for our family, relatives, weddings, car racing and many other occasions.

Dads other passion in life was Sprint and Nascar racing, he himself racing midgets and hardtops. He was a racecar driver at several of the tracks in San Jose, including the San Jose Speedway, Belmont and several others. During the height of his racing career he married Charlotte Marie Smith, June 2, 1956, on a Saturday night in the middle of the racetrack in front of thousands of people at the San Jose Speedway. The first such event ever held at the racetrack. Dad raced for several years but had to give it up in 1961 after his 3rd child was born. He continued to frequent the speedways, turning out spectacular photographs of the action on the tracks. He most recently was featured in a book called The History of San Jose Auto Racing 1903-2007, contributing many of his personal photos for the book. Some of Dads other hobbies and interests through life included bowling which he was very good at and actually bowled the senior league in Roy just a day or two before he passed away. He played some drums for a small band he and his sister were in back in the 60''s playing country music. He also was a talented artist and model builder enthusiast, and also had a great talent for building and putting together train layouts with exceptional detail. Dad had a great fondness and gentleness for animals. Dad also loved to listen to Bluegrass music, especially Sidesaddle and Kate Wolfe. Dad was a great water skier, spending quite a bit of time at the lake with our boat Holy Mackeral. Us kids remember many great times out on the lake. He also enjoyed camping which we have so many good memories and photographs of these trips to the mountains of California.

Dad worked independently for Bardahl for several years in CA and spent most of the rest of his life working in the auto parts industry as a parts manager for Penniman and Richards in CA and Gunther Rose in Ogden.

Dad and our Mom Charlotte were divorced in 1980. They had four children, all surviving, including two daughters, Cindy Lynn Stricker of Roy, Janet Leigh (Buddy) Eeds of Ogden, two sons, Mark Steven Arnold of Fremont and Scott Christopher Arnold (Silverleaf) (Brisa) of Florence, AZ and Lady his cat and companion. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and his niece Cari (Priest) Ramirez of Eugene, OR and Mike Priest of CA.

Dad was preceded in death by his father and his stepfather, his mother, and his only sister who he adored who just recently passed away in Dec.

There will be a remembrance and gathering at the home of his daughter, Janet Eeds of 1144 25th St. in Ogden, Utah on September 10th at 2:00 pm. We invite any who would like to come, reminisce, and celebrate our Father.

Cremation under the direction of Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary.