Arnold Edward Allemand, Jr.

Arnold Edward Allemand, Jr.

On the night of March 20, 2011, after the night of a super-moon and a Sunday of sunshine, Arnold E. Allemand, Jr. took his last breath and went home to our Heavenly Father. His deep faith sustained him to his last breath often singing every verse of his favorite hymns, especially “The Old Rugged Cross.” His love & prayers for God, family, & country were a daily expression of his commitment to his values.

Arnold’s 93 yrs of service to “his calling” contributed much to our world. Born in Tarpon Springs, Florida on February 13, 1918, he was the only child of Swiss immigrants Arnold E. Allemand, Sr. and Louise Zweifel Allemand. After living several of his young years in Switzerland, Arnold’s growing-up years were spent in Shawnee, Oklahoma attending a two room school. Here he learned the value of hard work and caring for family and community. He self-taught and excelled in many athletic endeavors: swimming, diving, gymnastics, golf, etc. In 1939, he became a Naval Aviation Cadet and in 1940 a flight instructor in Primary and Aerobatics at Pensacola Naval Training Station. In 1942, being stationed at Jacksonville Naval Air Station, Arnold meet Jacinta Penn. They were married six months later.

Arnold served in the Navy from 1939: WWII (Atlantic and mostly the Pacific Theater), Korean War, Antarctica Operation Deep Freeze, Vietnam (1962-1963) retiring in 1965 only to continue working for the Bureau of Naval Weapons and later the Naval Training Device Center in Orlando, fully retiring in 1980.

After the death of his wife Jacinta, in 1989, Arnold married Eloise Morris in 1993. Eloise passed away in 2005.

Throughout his life, Arnold continued his “service” to others, his neighbors, strangers broken down on the side of the road, or the wild— squirrels, blue jays, lizard and even crows. Always finding humor in everyday observations, he was always willing to laugh at himself or play a trick on the nearest victim. He served our Lord with honor, responsibility, & faithfulness endearing neighbors & friends from near and far.

Arnold Allemand, Jr.’s ashes were buried with full military honors at the foot of his beloved wife, Jackie Penn Allemand in Oakland Cemetery, Jacksonville, Florida on October 11, 2011. John Edward Jones, stepson and former Navy military judge, officiated his graveside service.

“Thanks & praise, For our day, Neath the sun, Neath the stars, Neath the sky, As we go, This we know, God is nigh” (Taps)

“Well done good & faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness.” Matt: 25:21