Roy Dale Arn, Jr.
Roy Dale Arn, Jr, born August 6, 1934, gently passed away September 30, 2016, following a valiant battle with cancer. Dale is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sara (White), daughters Elizabeth (Pete) Makulec, Kris (Brian) Hogan, Cathy (Don) Sanders, all of St. Louis, and Sally (Jeffrey) Owens of Peoria, IL.
Eldest son of Dr. Roy D. Arn and Lucile (Cole) of Dayton, OH, and brother to Shirley (Robert) Sparrow of Floyd, VA and Jimmy (deceased), Dale grew up in Dayton, graduated from Carlisle Military Academy in Bamberg, South Carolina and was an alumni of Duke University. He and Sara were introduced by mutual friends during Christmas break 1956, their first date was to ring in the 1957 New Year in Dayton.
Beginning in southern Illinois, Dale began a long running career in the heavy machinery field, first with the John Fabick Tractor Company and finishing with Brambles Equipment. His family and ‘family of friends’ grew through moves to Farmington, Jefferson City, and finally, St. Louis, Missouri.
Earning his pilot’s license as a 16 year-old, Dale was a proud member of The Quiet Birdmen, an association of retired airline, military and cargo pilots and was the recipient of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award for 50-plus consecutive years of incident free flying. His most rewarding and gratifying aviation moments were, flying pediatric burn victims to and from treatment at Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Cincinnati and sharing his love of flying with young people while coaching their aviation skills.
Dale’s lifelong commitment to bettering his community through philanthropy is evidenced in his membership in Shriners International, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Church of St. Michael and St. George. Dale never met a stranger. He is a treasured friend and admired as a gentleman of character and integrity.
Without doubt, Dale’s proudest accomplishments were his girls, their husbands and children; Courtney (Patrick) Maloney, Toppie and John Hogan; Trey, Parker and Dillon Sanders; Lucy and AJ Owens. Unforgettable memories of building squirrel traps at the cabin, flying in Michigan, making waffles at the river, sharing a special prayer, blessing and dance at my wedding, raking leaves to jump in on Thanksgiving, going to the Shriner’s Circus – just me & him, riding elephants at the circus and giving me one of his belts to wear to church that I still wear will keep ‘Papo’ alive for eternity.
Services will be held Wednesday, October 5, 2016 at 11am at the Church of St. Michael and St. George, 6345 Wydown Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63105. Reception immediately following in the Great Hall. Private interment. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations to Moolah Transportation Fund, 12545 Fee Fee Road, St. Louis, MO 63146-3807 or the charity of your choice. In honor of Dale, the family asks that you give your Dad a big bear hug and tell him you love him.
I will always treasure the memories that I have of Dale. The sparkle in his eyes, the warmth of his smile, his gigantic hug and his very gentle spirit. Words can’t express the sadness that I feel with his loss. My love to all of the family.
Dear Sara and all of Dale’s magnificent family. We join you in mourning the passing of this most wonderful man. we will always remember that special twinkle in his eyes. Dale always made one feel special in his presence. May those special memories sustain all of you during these days and in the future. God Bless.
We thank GOD for letting Sara & Dale be an inspiration and guide to our lives as well as Loving & Caring friends. We’ll miss you Dale. Beabouts
Sara,
We are so saddened to learn that Dale passed away. We had hoped to get together soon with both of you. Please extend our sympathy to your children. Dale reminded me of my precious dad. We think of both of you when we sit and watch the river go by.
I am so sorry for your loss, and I will forever treasure my memories of Dale and his devotion to helping the patients of Shriners Hospitals for Children. He was a faithful attendee of our Van Drivers meetings, and always provided us with good insights and challenges in the ways the hospital and fraternity worked together to provide our services to patients. He was devoted to Shriners Hospital and we could always count on him for anything we needed.
Dale was one of the first members of the Shriners to “take me under his wing” when I started working there. I gave a presentation at the temple one evening, and he invited me to me to meet the members of the Air Patrol, beginning a dialogue about bringing the members of the temple closer to the hospital and inspire their engagement in their philanthropy that lasts even until today. He was a most excellent and fun host that evening, fostering a friendship that I have treasured during my time at Shriners Hospital.
Dale introduced my parents to each other and I am named after him. He was a great man. I still have a die cast Caterpillar Grader that he gave me as a child.It was tough, but I never played with it. It sat on a shelf in my room and has been in my family room for years now. It means more to me now than ever, I will miss him. I always looked up to him as he was one of the nicest men I have ever met. Sara and family you have my deepest sympathy.
I only had known Dale for a short (relatively) time, but I will say he made an amazing and profound impact on me.
Thank you God for gracing all of us with Dale.
May your family remember all the good
Having roomed next door to him and Art for a time in the Delt section at Duke I could tell tales of our many exploits, but my fondest memories of Dale are the ones that echo all the wonderful things said about him by his family and other friends. Flying around in that Culver Cadet to view the damage after Hugo was an experience in itself. He was a wonderful friend and I cherish his memory. Hugs to the family.