Arnold Cheatwood

91, Brawley

Arnold Owen Cheatwood entered into the presence of the Lord August 17, 2018 in Brawley, CA. He was at home surrounded by his family as they sang his favorite hymns.

Memorial services will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, August 31 at Western Avenue Baptist Church in Brawley.

Born August 18, 1926 in Paden, OK, Arnold was a World War II veteran who served in the Philippines and Japan, and was awarded numerous medals before he received his honorable discharge.

He first met Norma, his wife of 74 years, in Seminole, Oklahoma when she was 12 years old and he was 13 years old. They married 4 years later in Seminole on April 10, 1944. Arnold and Norma owned and operated A & N Ice Company serving produce sheds with top ice and businesses with party ice. At Christmas, he would grind and spread a truckload of ice with 148 to 300 pound blocks on the ground to make “snow” on the Brawley Plaza. Then he would dress up like Santa and hand out gifts to the children.

Arnold loved and honored our great country, and following his retirement, he set a goal to visit all 50 states. He achieved this goal by buying a motorhome in order to caravan across the United States with two other couples.

Loving the Lord with all his heart, Arnold was very active in Western Avenue Baptist Church where he taught a Sunday school class for junior high boys for many years. He also served as a deacon and church treasurer. He was a member of Gideon International, a group that distributes free copies of the Bible, and Arnold loved passing out Bibles. He was a bold witness for the faith and led many to the Lord. His favorite verse in the Bible was John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. “

He was preceded in death by his parents, George Washington Cheatwood and Ellen (Rogers) Cheatwood; two brothers, Hershel (Opal) Cheatwood and Roy (Mildred) Cheatwood; and three sisters, Hazel (Fred) Plemmons, Lola (Durrell) Plemmons, and Opal (Harry )McGuire.

Arnold is survived by his wife, Norma, of Brawley; daughter, Carolyn (Greg) Benner of Brawley; sons, Phillip (Georgette) Cheatwood of Visalia, CA and Dr. Gayle (Nita) Cheatwood of Holtville; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

He was loved and respected by his family and friends and will be deeply missed. Our loss is Heaven’s gain.