My Brother Jim - I’m sorry it has taken me to honor you on this page. I’m so grateful for the time we shared together inside and outside of prison. You taught me so much Sir! I look forward to seeing you in Heaven one day…

My condolences to Jim’s family 🙏🏾

Jim,
Thank you for visiting me and explaining your "ministry." The incarcerated are many and you worked diligently to help them and succeeded.  You did God's work for those so many of us have forgotten. Thanks. Reggie Williams OHS '59

Jim, you were a friend and neighbor during our high school years and we had some great fun together, back then. Later after we both ended up in Texas we had so visits and caught up with one anothers history and had some visits in Houston and San Antonio over the years. Jim I will miss talking with you on the phone as we kept up with one another of the last severl years. Take care my brother and I know you are resting peacefully with your Lord.

God Bles all those whose hearts you touched over the years.
Ray Clinton

Jim was a friend through decades of experiences, work, and your caring concern for many others in Toastmasters and Prison Ministry (Skills for Life).  You helped so many others.  I valued your friendship and all that you did to benefit others and aided their lives.  You are missed and will be missed ahead into the future by all people.
Rest in eternal peace my friend!    Blessings, Darrell Oakland

Mr. Arnold, thank you for having a heart for those who society looked down upon. Every meeting with you, you made me feel seen and heard. I am so appreciative of our friendship and the skills you provided me and our brothers that have payed off tremendously.  I am a better man today because of the skills and leadership you provided. As you take your rest my friend, your legacy will live on in all you encountered and touched. Thank you for loving the least of us, because you were truly the best of us. Rest easy my friend. Job well done my good and faithful servant.

Thanks Jim . For ToastMaster . You will be Greatly Missed.RIP. ❤️. Colby Wiggins

Jim was a Awesome man, I met Jim  at toast masters back in 2010. I know Jim will be missed by many

In the summer of 2019 Jim Arnold, Tommie Anderson and Andy Paultanis testified in Austin before the Texas Governor’s Special Task Force on Prison Reform regarding the success of the Toastmaster Gavel Clubs.

Jim Arnold, Tommy Anderson and Andy Paultanis met with U.S. Texas Congressman John Culberson in 2018  to discuss setting up Skills for Life Prison Ministry in U.S. Federal Prisons.

Soul Winners Gavel Club, November 2016, Carol Vance Unit

Jim Arnold founded the Skills for Life Prison Ministry in 2000 which utilizes Toastmasters International curriculum and goals program to teach public speaking, personal responsibility, and servant leadership.  At one point he was overseeing 27 Toastmasters Gavle Clubs in various units of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.  He was instrumental in bringing the recidivism rate for individuals who completed the Competent Communicator Award to 5.6% from a national average of 70%.

OBITUARY

James Lynn Arnold

November 1, 1941 – September 26, 2023

Earthman Resthaven Funeral Home and Cemetery

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