Clayton (“Duke”) Waterman Arnold

Posted

April 7, 1929 – May 10, 2018

Clayton died at home with his family on May 10, 2018. He was born April 7, 1929 to Clayton L. Arnold and Jennie Waterman Arnold in Bates, Michigan. He graduated from Traverse City Central High in 1947 and married Marie Adeline Bunting on May 3, 1950. 

He and Marie moved to Flint in 1951 where Clayton went to work as a bookkeeper for McLaughlin Brothers’ Auto Sales. He soon began selling late model used cars and bought the dealership with partner, Terry Masse, in 1964, forming Arnold-Masse, Inc., an American Motors/Jeep franchise. He later formed Arnold-Misener Auto Sales on S. Saginaw in Flint with partner Terry Misener. He moved back to the Traverse City area in the early 1980s, entering the furniture wholesaling business, supplying retail outlets in Michigan’s northern lower and upper peninsulas. He retired in 2005. 

Clayton is preceded in death by parents Clayton & Jennie Arnold; sisters Amelia Jean Meach, Margaret Nash, and Burnie Bonnell; and granddaughter Maggie Marie Arnold. He is survived by sister Harriett Niemeyer of San Bernardino, CA; wife Marie; children Jared Arnold (Beverly Gregus) of Kalamazoo, MI, Susan Arnold of Tucson, AZ, Daniel Arnold (Sally) of Howell, MI, Sandra Arnold (Randall Sturgis) of Port Townsend, WA, and Wade Arnold (Karen) of Byron Center, MI; seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful, heartfelt assistance provided by Munson Hospice of Traverse City in the last weeks of Clayton’s life, especially Karen, Deb, and Donna. The family suggests a donation to that service (http://www.munsonhealthcare.org/hospicegiving) in lieu of flowers. Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Clayton’s life on June 30, 1-4 PM at their Elk Lake home, 9765 Miami Beach Rd, Williamsburg, MI 49690. Refreshments will be served, photos and stories shared.