He attended college at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee but left school during the Depression to begin his working life in the agricultural field. John farmed in Ohio and Wisconsin, owned a mill in Illinois, and sold farm machinery before going to work for Archer Daniels Midland in Tennessee. He moved to Salina to supervise the ADM grain elevators in six Midwestern states.

In 1937, John married Irene Swartz. They had two children. Irene preceded him in death after 53 years of marriage. He then married Mary Lee McGaughy. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lee, of the home; son, John B. Arnold Jr.; daughter, Geraldine Orwig (Charles); stepdaughter, Virginia Phillips (Gary); stepson, Doug McGaughy (Bonny); grandsons, Mark Arnold (Maria) and Charley Orwig (Lisa); granddaughter, Libby Elder (Jon); five great-grandchildren, Lindsey, Luke and Ian Orwig, and Nicholas and Gregory Arnold; and stepgranddaughter, Eleanor Phillips. He was preceded in death by his brothers, William and Alex; and grandson, David.

John has been active in Sunrise Presbyterian Church, Salina, serving as an elder, and was very involved in the Building and Grounds Committee. He was an avid bridge player, volunteered as a van driver at Presbyterian Manor, Salina, wrote treatises on political issues for the Salina Journal, and volunteered in the school reading mentoring program. He enjoyed spending time at his drawing board, where he envisioned solutions to architectural problems for his home, the church and grain elevators.

John’s service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 9, at Sunrise Presbyterian Church, Salina. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday evening at 917 Twin Oaks Drive, Salina 67401. The body was cremated and committal will be private.

Memorials may be made to the church or to Hospice of Salina and may be left at or sent in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth St., Salina 67401.