Jimmie Lee Arnett

September 29, 1935 - February 25, 2022

Jimmie Lee Arnett, Sr. 86, of Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, was born on September 29, 1935, in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, to Boyd Oliver and Thelma Irene (Fore) Arnett, and passed on February 25, 2022, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at the OKC VA Medical Center. Jimmie was the firstborn son, having two brothers, Billy Glen Arnett and James Allen Arnett and his older sister Doris Edelman. Jimmie received his formal education and graduated at Fort Gibson High School in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. He began his military career on October 25, 1955, with infantry training in Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, he received training in supply school at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and then later shipped to Inchon, South Korea, where he worked at a supply depot and spent the remaining time as a battalion mail clerk. After he was overseas, he returned to the states to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where he was a combat engineer, finalizing his career at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, as a National Guard (Army Reservist) for six months, discharging from the military from Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, October 28, 1958. Jimmie met Betty Jolene Whisenhunt and they were married on June 20, 1959. After her death in 1977, he married Margie Ann (Byrd) O’Dell, on September 29, 1978. Jimmie began his career with Corning Glass Works as a maintenance supervisor, in June of 1961, working there for 25 years, retiring in 1986. He worked for Fort Gibson Public Schools as a bus mechanic, from 1986 until retiring again in August 2003. Jimmie was a devoted member of the Church of Christ for more than 61 years, serving as a deacon for more than 15 years and teaching bible classes for many years. Jimmie loved his church family and loved attending worship, serving as church camp counselor, a member of the church softball team and enjoyed all other activities with the church. Jimmie loved so many things in his life. His family and friends know of his love for camping, fishing, pitching horseshoes, playing dominos, play cards (Pitch, Hearts), NASCAR (Ford) racing, watching westerns (Gunsmoke, Rifleman), watching Andy Griffith, taking long car rides, being in nature, OU football, working on anything mechanical, and spending time with his family, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He will be lovingly remembered, and is survived by his children, Sandra Imel and husband Arlyn of Muskogee, Cynthia Farr and husband Bill of Muskogee, Michelle White of Tahlequah, Michael O’Dell and wife Carol of Muskogee, Lori Miller of Muskogee, Marcy Colley and husband Mark of Fort Gibson, Mitchell O’Dell of Fort Gibson, Kristie Edwards and husband Eddie of Fort Gibson; his grandchildren, Justin Arnett and wife Cristin, grandchildren, Ethan and Micheal; Jenna Ray and grandchildren Jolee, Kevin Koel, Jeremy Koel, Austin Cox, Ashley Fuller and grandchildren Rumour, Tuff and Blakely; Tara Cox and husband Jake and grandchildren, Ella, Gracie, Cate; Keely Richey, Hailey Miller, Dalton Colley and grandchildren Traegr; Daylon Colley, Darrah Colley, Aidan Noblitt, Parker Noblitt, Parker Edwards, Ashton White and husband Levi and grandchildren Statler; Josh O’Dell, Brandon O’Dell, and Heather O’Dell; with many nieces and nephews that he loved. He was preceded in death by his parents, Boyd and Thelma Arnett, Sister, Doris Edelman, Brothers, Billy Glen Arnett and James Allen Arnett, wives, Betty Jolene (Whisenhunt) Arnett, and Margie Ann (Byrd) Arnett, his sons, Jimmy Lee Arnett, Jr, and Manuel Floyd O’Dell, II. Services remembering Jimmie, will be held on Thursday, March 3, 2022, at 1:00PM, at the Fort Gibson Church of Christ. A private family burial will be at Fort Gibson National Cemetery. Pallbearers for Jimmie are his grandsons/grandson-in-law, Justin Arnett, Dalton Colley, Daylon Colley, Jake Cox, Jeremy Koel, Brandon O’Dell and Austin Cox, with honorary pallbearers, Parker Edwards, Kevin Koel, Josh O’Dell, Aidan Noblitt, and Parker Noblitt, and Levi White. This obituary was beautifully written by Jimmie’s family. The family of Jimmie Lee Arnett has entrusted his care, service and burial to Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home, Fort Gibson. 918-478-2555. Online condolences may be left for the family at clifforddgarrettfamilyfh.com