Arnold Lester King

Arnold Lester King, 87, of Quinton, passed away Friday, April 12, 2013 at his home. Arnold was born on November 28, 1925, in Russellville, Oklahoma the son of Faye Lester and Velma Gertrude (Brazil) King. He graduated from Quinton High School in 1947. After high school, Arnold attended Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton and received his Agriculture Degree from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. Arnold served in the U.S. Navy during WWII as a 1st Class Signalman. He was honorably discharged in 1946. On June 5, 1946, Arnold married Betty Lee Roberts in Enterprise, Oklahoma. They moved to Central City, Nebraska in 1951. In 1975, Arnold and his family moved to Pawnee City, Nebraska, after 30 years of service as a soil conservationist, to retire. In 1984, the family moved back to Quinton, Oklahoma. Arnold belonged to the American Legion, the VFW, the Toastmasters Club, and the Masonic Lodge. He loved baseball and football and devoted twenty-five years umpiring and refereeing. Arnold was a member of the Palestine Community Church. Survivors include: his wife, Betty, of the home; his son, Melvin Ronald King and wife Pat Moderow of Grand Island, Nebraska; his daughters, Eva Louise (King) Moderow and husband Bob of Hastings, Nebraska and Samantha Lee (King) Pryor and husband David of Quinton; his brothers, Kenneth E. King and wife Claudine of Quinton and J.B. King and wife Tish of Huntsville, Tennessee; his sister, Vonzil Kenyon and husband Darrell of Blocker; a brother-in-law, Jim Cravens of Stigler and a sister-in-law, Martha King of Georgia; seven grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. Arnold is preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Elloise Eakle and Louise Cravens and a brother, Thelbert King.