In Loving Memory of Wimes Arnold Deal

July 1, 1930 – February 24, 2025

With heavy hearts but fond memories, we announce the passing of Wimes Arnold Deal, known as Arnold, who passed away peacefully at the age of 94 at Panorama City Medical Center in Panorama City, California.

Arnold, born in Lake Helen, Florida and raised in Deland, was a man of humble beginnings and extraordinary resilience. He may have been born Wimes, but by the time he reached his teenage years, he had already decided “Arnold” suited him better.

As a child, Arnold’s dreams of becoming a dancer were dashed, not by a lack of rhythm, but by a broken leg that left him to pursue other interests. At the age of thirteen, he dropped out of school to care for his younger sister, Marie, during her struggle with a heart condition. His commitment to family knew no bounds and though the family lost Marie, Arnold’s devotion never wavered.

A natural-born provider, though still a teen, Arnold embarked on his working journey. His first job was in a factory that manufactured cans of juice for soldiers fighting overseas. His true calling, however, came behind the wheel of a truck. Driving a cement mixer became his life’s work, first in Florida and later after moving his family to California. It was a job he held with pride until he retired at the age of 55. But retirement didn't slow Arnold down. Arnold and his wife Nancy traveled the country in an RV for several years before settling back down in southern California. He still drove expertly until just a few months before his passing. No one who knew him will forget Arnold’s love for fishing. When Arnold wasn’t driving, you could probably find him by the water casting his line and sharing stories about fishing and family.

Arnold’s greatest adventure, however, was his 74-year love story with his wife Nancy. He was only seventeen when they ran off to Georgia to get married. Nancy was just fourteen, a fact they conveniently “forgot” to mention when asked about their ages. It was love at first sight, and Arnold said their marriage was proof that sometimes the heart knows best. Even after Nancy passed away in 2021, Arnold never stopped loving her. He missed her every day, and his recent advice to one of his great-grandsons was, “Love your family just like I loved Nancy.”

Arnold's faith in God was his guiding light, and after accepting Christ at the age of forty, he gave up smoking, drinking, and gambling--a transformation that not only changed his life, but also had a profound impact on his family. His strong Christian values, combined with his love for his family shaped his character and made him a beloved patriarch.

Arnold’s legacy lives on in the hearts of his family. He is survived by his sister Edith Litrell Philips; his children: Thomas Arnold Deal (Karen), Marjorie Ann Mattice (Tom), and Marvin Lewis Deal (Kelly); as well as his grandchildren: Amanda Herrington (Ben), Jeff Deal (Beth), Ben Mattice (Claudia), Julia Mattice, Heather Karpe (Scot), and Dustin Deal (Charmaine); and his great-grandchildren: Nigel Herrington, Lily Herrington, Aaron Deal, Alaska Mattice, Dublin Mattice, Ethan Karpe and Sam Karpe.

Arnold was preceded in death by his beloved Nancy, as well as his parents, Annie Bell Hunter and William Edgar Deal, and siblings Maurice Eugene Deal, Annie Marie Deal, and Flora Alma “Snookie” Shaw.

As we prepare to celebrate Arnold's life, we are reminded that the true measure of a man is not just in his years, but in the love and impact he leaves behind. He will be remembered for his love of family and his faithful service to God.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, March 24 at 1:00 p.m. at Valley of Peace Chapel, 26841 Ruether Avenue in Santa Clarita, CA.

A graveside service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Eternal Valley Memorial Park, 23287 N. Sierra Hwy in Newhall, CA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the SCV Senior Center, 27180 Golden Valley Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91351: www.scvseniorcenter.org/donate/