Lawrence Henri Arnold's Obituary
Lawrence (Larry) Henri ArnoldMay7, 1949 - August 12, 2014After a year of battling health issues that usually terminate life at a much earlier age for a quadriplegic, Larry passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. At the age of 16, on summer break from a stint at the seminary, Larry was swimming and diving at his favorite swimming hole, High Rocks, in Gladstone Oregon. On what was to be his last dive he hit his head and severed his spinal cord and was immediately paralyzed. Larry took the hand of cards that had been handed to him and put to the practice of how not to be angry with your current lot in life. "Play the cards you are dealt to the best of your ability", was the motto Larry came to live by. He finished his high school education at West Linn, went on to graduate with his Bachelors' at Portland State. Not knowing what his job opportunities might be he started looking in the accounting field. He was hired by a young company, Coral Construction, and never looked back. He was with them for 43 years and had worked his way up to Vice President; and made it one of the best known construction companies in its industry in Oregon. Larry he retired in May, 2014.He was married for 13 years to Teresa Roe and he took to her two children, Gina and Travis, as his own. He was preceded in death by his father George, mother Cecilia two sisters, Jeanette Arnold, Pat Griffy, and his brother Richard Arnold. He is survived by his loving daughter Gina Cobb, sisters Sharon Kelley and Linda Morgan. Larry also had eleven nieces and nephews that doted on him, and 10 great nieces and nephews. He made sure every one of them felt special and allowed them as they grew up to have plenty of rides on his wheel chair.He lived alone after his divorce and was very independent. He had help for his personal care but drove himself to work every day in the special van provided by his company and earned his own way in the world.Larry will be missed by more people than his family will ever know, he never met a stranger. Arrangements are being made for services at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Oregon City, on Tuesday, August 19, 2014 at 2:00 pm. There will be a reception for all following.
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