Sad news in my world. One of my golf buddies, Gary Arnoldus, has died. His full obituary is at the bottom of this post, but neglects to mention the cause of death which I suspect is exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.
I met Gary some 10-15 years ago on the golf course and since then have played dozens of rounds together. We were part of a large group of players who played out of Meadowbrook and also toured around the state on weekends to courses around the state. Below is a picture from one of those tour stops in St. George. I’m standing on the chair and Gary is by my left hand with the white hat and white collar.
Gary was a hell of a golfer, with THE most powerful hands I’ve ever seen. He had a 46 inch driver with a tiny head on the end which must have been made out of lead. I could hardly pick the thing up, but Gary could blast that sucker 300+.
I remember a match with Gary at Bonneville one year. Gary and his partner were kicking the asses of my partner Arnie and myself. We got to the 240 yard par-3 15th and we pressed Gary’s team. Gary ripped some kind of iron which landed no farther than FOUR inches from the hole and stuck there. That was one of the best golf shots I’d ever seen and it cleaned out our wallets. We still talk about that shot, every time we get to that hole.
In reading Gary’s obituary below, golf apparently wasn’t the only sport he excelled at. Speaking of the obit, I’m posting it here on HOG. It will stay online as long as this site is online. I think it is BS that the newspapers post the obits on their web sites, then “charge” fees to keep them online.
1947 ~ 2011
Gary Lee Arnoldus, age 64 returned home peacefully to his Heavenly Father at his home in St. George, UT on September 29, 2011. He was born on May 4th 1947 in Salt Lake City, UT to Wesley and Barbara Arnoldus. Gary is one of four children; brothers, Greg, Dean, and Dale. Gary married the love of his life Karen Gayle Arnoldus on December 27th, 1968 and both were sealed for time and eternity in the St. George Temple on September 19th 2011.
Gary was without a doubt an exceptional athlete; in 1965 he was awarded Prep All- American in basketball and all state in baseball. During high school he was repeatedly featured as the prep athlete of the week in the Salt Lake Tribune. He exceled in baseball and basketball and played at the collegiate level with the University of Utah and Westminster College. He was also offered to sign as a pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates out of high school. Among these sports he was also an outstanding scratch golfer and an amazing bowler. He enjoyed fishing, camping and spending time with his many friends and family.
He served a tour of duty in the Vietnam War during the years of 1966-1968. Gary worked for Utah Power Light his entire career and retired with over 30 years of faithful service.
Gary is survived by his three children and their spouses, Steven James (Cammie), Jamie Lee (Brian), and Jennie Lynn; and his grandchildren Tyler, Karen (her father Paul), Logan, Korbin, Mason, Rylee. Also survived by brothers Dean (Liz), Greg (Sharon), close friends Ken (Lisa) Steed, Rod (Sharon) Winn and MANY friends whom he played golf with around the state. Preceded in death by his wife Karen, brother Dale, and sister, parents and close friend Don Long.
Thank you to the many friends, nurses, ward and stake members (too many to list) whom have given their service, time and love to Gary and his family.
A service will be held for his many friends in St. George, UT on Monday Oct. 3rd from 10-12 at the LDS ward house located at 4461 Country Club Dr., St. George, UT 84790.
Final services will be held at Larkin Sunset Gardens 1950 E. 10600 S., Salt Lake City, UT, where viewings will be held on Thursday Oct. 6th from 6-8 PM and Friday Oct 7th from 1-2 PM followed by funeral services at 2 PM.
In honor of Gary, please feel free to come dressed in your favorite golf attire.
HOGWire – Golf Industry News
Thank you for sharing your kind words and memories of my father. We love hearing them and hope to hear more! Dad will be greatly missed and I hope to hear more memories from his friends to keep his legacy alive. He not only excelled as an athlete but as a father. He had serious heart problems for years and that with a combination of prostate cancer is how his health failed. Dad was the most courageous man I know and one of the few I could trust. You always had a best friend with my dad! I love him dearly and appriciate your post! I suspect he’s knocking them quite far now!
Jennie Arnoldus