Melvin Arnold

Melvin Albert Arnold was born April 19, 1927 in Lott, Texas, near Temple, Texas to Mr. George William Arnold and Mrs. Bertha (Witschze) Arnold. Melvin passed away peacefully with family by his side on August 5, 2013 at 4:12 PM. Melvin began his career in law enforcement as a peace officer in 1948 with the Robstown Police Department. During this time he took time away from the department to proudly serve his country as a United States Marine. Melvin received his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps at the rank of Sergeant in 1952. Melvin married Evelyn (Bierstedt) Arnold of Orange Grove, Texas on September 17, 1952. They settled in Robstown, Texas and were blessed with three children. Melvin returned to the Robstown Police Department following his military service where he served on the force for RPD until his retirement in 1980. During his 28 year tenure Melvin served the Robstown community as traffic officer, patrol sergeant, assistant chief, captain of detectives, and was twice named chief of police. In 1981 Melvin went to work for the Jim Wells County Sheriff's Department in Alice, Texas, where he served as chief deputy sheriff for nearly 30 years. Upon his retirement with the Jim Wells County Sheriff's Department he continued to stand ready to serve his community as a member of the department's reserve force. Melvin spent more than 60 years as a public servant for his fellow Texans, making him the oldest and longest active peace officer in the state of Texas. On February 9, 2009 Melvin was honored by the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas Legislature for his years of dedicated law enforcement service where a resolution was read on his behalf. He was then presented with an American flag and a Texas flag that flew over the Capitol in his honor. Melvin was a long time member of the Coastal Bend Peace Officer's Association. He attended mass regularly at St. John of the Cross Parish in Orange Grove, Texas. He was also a member of the Knight’s of Columbus. Melvin enjoyed spending time with family, gardening, raising cattle, hunting, and reminiscing with fellow law enforcement officers and members of the military. He loved hunting with dogs; nothing like a good pack of dogs running through the brush and him knowing each one by the sound of their bark. He hunted with some of his best friends this way. Some have gone on ahead of Melvin and now he is joining them for another hunt. Melvin did deer hunt some but more enjoyed just going. He did bag 3 trophies that hung on his wall. His fun was taking his grandson Robert and grandson-in-law Kevin and they both killed their first deer with Melvin. He always took his granddaughters to feed his cows and check on them. He had names for most of the cows and the girls knew them too. One in particular was named Mud. He was always stuck in the mud so the name fit. On the day of Melvin’s funeral the State Capitol in Austin will fly the Texas State flag in his honor. Melvin is preceded in death by his parents George William Arnold and Bertha (Witschze) Arnold and a sister Betty Jean Arnold. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Evelyn (Bierstedt) Arnold, his three children, Clifton Ray (Tommie Sue) Arnold of Bluntzer, Donna Kay Arnold of Calallen, and Garland Wayne "Bubba" (Norma) Arnold of Dripping Springs, his 6 grandchildren, Richard Hernandez of Calallen, Jennifer (Kevin) Mitchell of Sinton, Robert (Kristen) Arnold of Bluntzer, Dennis Hernandez of Calallen, Mallory (Casey) Caraway of Calallen and Ashley Arnold of Dripping Springs, his 5 great grandchildren, Blake and Clay Mitchell of Sinton, Kenzie and Walker Arnold of Bluntzer, and Lennon Hernandez of Calallen, his brother Harold Arnold of Houston, brother Jerome "Romie" (JoAnne) Arnold of Driscoll, sister Elvera Swetlick of Robstown, and sister Georgia Ann Hackney of Corpus Christi, numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Visitation will begin at 5 P.M. Wednesday, August 7, 2013 with the Rosary to be recited at 7 P.M at Sawyer-George Funeral Home Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 A.M. Thursday, August 8, 2013 at St. Peter Prince of the Apostles Catholic Church in Calallen. Burial with military and law enforcement honors will follow at the Sons of Hermann Cemetery in Orange Grove, Texas. Serving as pallbearers are: Nueces County Sheriff Jim Kaelin, San Patricio County Sheriff Leroy Moody, Live Oak County Sheriff Larry Busby and Hap Roberts along with other law enforcement. Memorial donations can be made to the Coastal Bend Peace Officer's Association Scholarship Fund or your favorite charity. Funeral services are entrusted to Sawyer-George Funeral Home, 12497 Leopard St, Corpus Christi, Texas 78410. (361) 242-3205.