The following was written by Arnold regarding his life with Jeanne, his wife:

I have just lost my life companion. We spent the last 52 Christmases together. The first was 1947 when Jeanne roasted a turkey on a two-burner hot plate. The song words to be my life's companion and we will never grow old held true for us, for we never grew old in Spirit. Our song was ''Near You" …the hit tune at the time we met, and the sentiment expressed held true throughout the years.

Jeanne gave me life. Before I met Jeanne I drifted without direction. I left school without finishing the eighth grade when I turned 15 in 1938.

By 1950 we had bought a lot in what is now Richmond, a suburb of Vancouver B.C., and started our first home. By the summer of 1954 we owned a nice two-room home. When we applied for entry to the United States we had no debt, and we were granted permanent residence visas by the end of 1954.

On February 28, 1955 we arrived by Greyhound bus in Los Angeles. We bought a car, rented an apartment in the San Fernando Valley. Jeanne went to work in the dry cleaning industry, and I for a travel trailer plant. We were no better off for work than in Vancouver B.C. That summer Jeanne reminded me that we had settled in L.A. so that I could get some education. This was not possible in Vancouver B.C. at that time. Checking I could get an accredited High School diploma from Van Nays Adult High School by evening classes. Attending 4 or 5 nights a week, I graduated June 1957. Many a night when I came home after class, Jeanne would be asleep….Then on to college. By this time I had a better job with another trailer company as service man and trouble shooter. In this position I could work part time on non-class days and on Saturday.

To skip the in-between, I continued to work and study and was able to pass the P.E. in Civil Engineering for the State of California, and was issued certificate #17644, dated December 18, 1967.

Over the years we had ups and downs, and some sad disappointments, but we always considered we were better off here than if we had stayed in Canada.

I married a real help mate. Jeanne continued to work in the clothing alteration trade, sometimes for others and sometimes from home. Also, she was able to clothe herself in the best fashion. Our life together was not drudgery, for work, when you enjoy it, can be fun.

As I went up the professional ladder, if my work took me to New York or San Diego or San Francisco, I took Jeanne with me or had her visit me on location.

Jeanne always had a good highway car to drive. Before her Mother died in 1970, Jeanne made the trip from L.A. to Vancouver B.C. about two times a year, with only one overnight stop.

If a problem appeared Jeanne was one to meet it head on and now. After we came to the Tri-Cities in 1975, there was a problem with the sale of our house in Granada Hills. Jeanne took off for L.A. by car. When she arrived two days later, the real estate agent and the buyer decided there was no problem, and the sale went through.

I am proud to have teamed up with and married a go-getter, with honesty and integrity, for that above all was Jeanne's guiding Spirit. I knew that early by the many sensible friends Jeanne had early in our association. I am confident that Jeanne felt the same about me. We complimented one another.

Many of you have known Jeanne during our time of residence in this area, so I need not elaborate, except to say without her help and tolerance for inconvenience we could not have built our home and be free of debt today.

All I can say is I miss my life companion, and what the future holds I have no idea. When Jeanne lost the sight of her right eye, about 10 years ago, she was devastated, having lost much sight on her left eye years before. It took a toll on outside activity. Having always been an avid reader, she took to the books on records and audio cassettes for disabled persons. This government sponsored program is a most worthwhile expenditure of public money for persons who need it most.

To me Jeanne is the most courageous being I have known...one great lady. I would not be here to speak to you, but for her. Jeanne is my life.

Arnold is survived by sister Ruth Epy of Enderby, British Columbia; sisters-in-law Joyce Froeher and Ella Radant of Calgary, Alberta; numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be 11:00 AM Friday, August 21, 2009 at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Richland.