Submitted by

Ken Gates

 

 

 

 

Anchorage Daily News

April 24, 1993

 

Hillin Lee “Jack” Arnold

July 28, 1938 – April 22, 1993

 

     Former longtime Alaskan Jack Arnold, 61, known as "Big Jack" Arnold, died April 22 in Houston, Texas. A memorial service was conducted at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral in Houston. Graveside rites were held at Boyton's Cemetery in Long Branch, Texas.

     Mr. Arnold was born Hillin Lee Arnold on July 28, 1938, in Long Branch. He was the youngest of 13 children born to Bob and Dora Arnold, both deceased. He didn't like his given name, especially after other school boys teased him by calling him "Helen." He got into so many schoolyard scuffles that he was nicknamed "Jack" after a popular boxer of the day. Eventually, his nickname was expanded to "Big Jack" because he had such a big heart. After growing up on a farm in east Texas, Mr. Arnold accepted a job with Texas Electric Services Co. in Wichita Falls, Texas. He met Karlene Lee Miller and they were married Oct. 31, 1950. They raised five children. Mr. Arnold served in the Army from February 1953 to December 1954 with overseas duty in Germany. After being discharged, he returned to his job with Texas Electric. He also began a band, Jack Arnold and the Flames, which became so popular that he quit his job to travel full time with the band. They played in Las Vegas, and Mr. Arnold was asked to appear on many of Jerry Lewis' telethons to raise money to fight muscular dystrophy. His band played in Alaska in the 1960s. He was so intrigued with "the Last Frontier" that he moved his family here in 1966. Mr. Arnold became sales manager for KYAK Radio, the first all-country/western radio station in Alaska. Later, he became general manager of KANC Radio when it adopted an all-country format. He also operated Big Jack's RV Center in Anchorage for many years. Declining health forced him to retire and he spent his final years in Texas. Mr. Arnold was a member of the Church of Christ, as well as a 32nd Degree Mason with membership in Glacier Lodge No. 10 in Anchorage. He was a Shriner and helped raise money for diseased, crippled and burned children. His family said: "Jack loved the Lord, his family, his country, and the Dallas Cowboys football team. He had numerous friends throughout the nation who will mourn his passing."

     Mr. Arnold is survived by his wife, Karlene, and children, Pam, Cindi, Richard, Bobby and Danny; four grandchildren; his siblings, Estelle Risinger, Mae Hall, Laura Bell Brady, Buck Arnold, Marie McCrary and Lou Langford. Two siblings died in infancy and four others preceded him in death.