Daniel Calmes Arnold died on Monday, the 19th of March, 2018, in Houston at the age of 88. He was born in Houston on the 14th of March, 1930, the son of the late Thomas Jewell and Georgia Buck Arnold.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Beverly Bintliff Arnold; their children, Alice Arnold Helms and her husband Randy, Susan Arnold Martin and her husband Tom, and Steven Daniel Arnold; and seven grandchildren: Chuck Helms and his wife Allison, Becky Helms, Daniel Martin, Weldon Martin, Jeanie Arnold, David Arnold and Georgia Arnold; a sister, Jane Arnold Touchstone; a sister-in-law, Lucy Arnold; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marjorie Ann and Bill Johnson. He is preceded in death by his brothers, William Buck Arnold and Thomas Oren Arnold and wife Grace Gordon Arnold, and his sister, Mary Virginia Arnold Johnston.
Dan graduated from The Kinkaid School. Dan’s early college years included Rice University and Princeton University before receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1951. He obtained his law degree, with high honors, from the University of Texas in 1953. For the next 30 years, he practiced law with Vinson & Elkins. He resigned in 1983 to become President and later Chairman of First City Bancorporation of Texas where he served until 1988, at which time he became the Chairman and President of Farm & Home Financial Corporation. He served on the boards of many other public and private companies.
Dan devoted himself to family, friends and community. He dedicated countless volunteer hours serving on the boards of numerous healthcare, charitable and civic organizations. In 1962 he was appointed to the board of the City-County Charity Hospital System, became its Chairman in 1963, and served as the first Chairman of the Harris County Hospital District after its creation in 1964. A founding trustee of Baylor College of Medicine, he served as a member of the Board of Trustees until 2006 including as Chairman from 1996 to 2001. In 2011, he was given emeritus status and designated a Life Trustee to Baylor College of Medicine. He also served on the board of the Texas Medical Center from 1962 to 1989, as Chairman of the Houston Chapter of the American Red Cross from 1970 to 1972, and as Chairman of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Houston from 1980 to 1984. He was an active member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church for more than 55 years and along with Beverly were honored as the recipient of St Luke's Distinguished Life Award in 2007.
His beloved Beverly, aka “Puppy”, made the perfect partner for Dan’s professional pursuits and those of family. Dan loved watching his seven grandchildren chase their passions and was always prepared for Kinkaid or Episcopal High School events keeping appropriately colored hats for each school in his car. He loved quail hunting in Georgia and South Texas, golfing with grandkids and little league baseball. With Puppy, he cherished time with family in Hunt, Texas, Montana and Wyoming. Dan never met a baby that he did not want to hug.
His family is forever grateful for the care, love, friendships and grace provided by Annie Jones, Claudia Echeverria, Maria Mendoza, Yolanda Sam-Tillman, Kathy Charles, Sherry Kelly Shadowens, Mildred Galang, Aquanetta Lewis and Ken Sapp. Each brought unique gifts, perspectives and peace to the family.
Friends are cordially invited to gather with the family and share remembrances of Dan during a reception to be held from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening, on Thursday, the 22nd of March, in the grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
The memorial service is to be conducted at half past three o’clock in the afternoon, on the 23rd of March, in the sanctuary of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road in Houston, with Dr. Tom Pace, senior pastor, is to officiate. Immediately following, guests are invited to greet the family during a reception at the church.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in Dan’s name may be directed to St. Luke's United Methodist Church Foundation, P. O. Box 22013, Houston, TX 77227-2013; Department of Cardiology c/o the Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation P.O. Box 4384 Houston, TX 77210-4384; or Texas Children’s Cancer Center - Mark Wallace Tower Attn: Lisa McCoy 6701 Fannin, Suite 1510.10 Houston, TX 77030, or the charity of your choice.
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