James Arthur Arnold

Jim was born on December 20, 1943, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and grew up in Franklin Park, Illinois, where he attended East Leyden High School and met Carol Kern on their class trip to Washington, D.C. They married in 1965 and spent 57 happy years together.

After his graduation from East Leyden, Jim earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Bradley University and later an MBA degree from Roosevelt University in Chicago.

Several years into his first job as an IBM systems analyst, Jim entered the United States Marine Corps amid the Vietnam War. He served his country as a computer instructor at the Marine base in Quantico, Virginia. It proved to be the start of a career that combined his natural aptitudes for technology and teaching, one that culminated in the launch of his own company, The Arben Group, which specialized in providing large companies with computer-assisted training programs.

After starting their family, Jim and Carol moved from Des Plaines, Illinois, to a new home in Lisle, where their children, Jeff and Janene, grew up. Jim was actively involved in the community, coaching his son’s baseball teams, participating in golf and tennis leagues, and serving in many roles on the Green Trails Improvement Association, including as its president. He and Carol were longtime members of a couples bridge club and the Lisle Wine Tasting Group. His other hobbies included traveling, doing crossword and Sudoku puzzles, and researching his family tree.

In retirement, Jim and Carol became snowbirds, splitting their time between their home in Lisle and a second home in Cape Coral, Florida, where they quickly involved themselves in their new community and enjoyed the warm, sunny climate.

Jim was known for his kindness and patience. He loved to help people and never wanted anyone to make a fuss over him. While faced with multiple medical challenges throughout his life, he maintained a positive outlook and never complained.

Jim is lovingly remembered by his wife, Carol, of Lisle; his daughter, Janene Kessler (Lee) and son, Jeff Arnold (Amy Lyman); his grandchildren Evan and Naomi Kessler; his nieces Katie Reid and Rose Tsolis and nephews John Romano and Rick Guill; and his sister-in-law, Mary Romano (John). He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Kathryn Arnold; his brother, Buzz Arnold; and his sister, Judy Guill (Arnold).

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 30, from 5 to 8 pm at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 5015 Lincoln Avenue, in Lisle, Illinois. The funeral service will be held on Friday, July 1, at 10 am, also at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home. A burial service will follow at Naperville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the American Heart Association.