Carl Junior Arnold

Carl Junior Arnold, age 95, of Indianapolis, IN passed away on January 19, 2022.

Carl was born on August 25, 1926 to Carl “LeRoy” Arnold and Bessie Leona (Hendrixson) Arnold in Fairmont, West Virginia.

A tragic accident took the life of Carl’s father LeRoy when he was only two years old. Carl’s mother Bessie would eventually marry Anthony “Tony” Vigna. Carl, the eldest of six children grew up during the Great Depression and worked part-time in the coal mines of West Virginia when not attending high school during his teenage years to help support his family. In 1942 Carl’s family moved to Indianapolis, IN and in June 1944, Carl graduated from Arsenal Technical High School.

A proud veteran of WW II, Carl enlisted in the United States Navy after his high school graduation and served as Seaman Second Class aboard the USS Saratoga (CV 3) and was honorably discharged in July 1946.

After serving his country, Carl worked a variety of jobs over the next few years in Santa Monica, CA before permanently relocating back to Indianapolis, IN to begin a 30-year career at Detroit Diesel Allison Division – General Motors Corporation, Indianapolis, IN and later retired in 1983.

Carl was a sports enthusiast who loved to coach little league baseball and enjoyed bowling and golf. However, when it came to sports, Carl’s passion was Notre Dame football and the Indianapolis Colts. In addition to sports, Carl loved to dance and took great pleasure in wood-working, arts & crafts and other various interests.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents, LeRoy and Bessie Arnold; step-father, Tony Vigna; daughter, Carline (Arnold) Day; brothers, Billy Gene (Helene) Arnold and George Maris Vigna; and sister, Vera Virginia “Kitty” (Paul) Denny; brother-in-law Uberta “Mick” Mouser; and daughter-in-law Judith “Judy” Arnold.

Carl is survived by his former wife, Pauline (Arnold) Robas, Indianapolis IN; his sons, Nicholas “Nick” Lee Arnold, Greenwood, IN and Richard “Jay” Arnold, Middleburg, FL; daughter, Jonna Maria Arnold, Indianapolis, IN; son-in-law, Dr. Michael E. Day, Nashville, IN; his longtime companion, Georgieanna Miller, Indianapolis, IN; sisters, Helen Vigna Mouser, Indianapolis, IN and Linda Vigna Johnson, Hartsville, TN; former sister-in-law, Joann Vigna, Greenfield, IN; 5 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; several nephews & nieces; many great-nephews and great-nieces; and numerous cousins.

A visitation for family and friends will be held Thursday, January 27, 2022 from 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM at Flanner Buchanan—Washington Park East, 10722 E Washington St. Indianapolis, IN. A Celebration of Life service for family and friends will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 28, 2022 with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Carline R. Day Scholarship Fund, c/o Hancock County Community Foundation and Gideon International.

To view the service via livestream, please click here.