Richard "Dick" Arno

Richard 'Dick' Earling Arno, 82, of Hamilton passed away Sunday, July 17th, at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital surrounded by his loved ones. He was born July 9th 1929 in Anaconda, Montana to Olaf Arn" and Ruth McKague, he had six brothers and sisters.

On April 5th, 1950 Dick married Arvilla Rose Flemming in Boulder, Montana and they settled in Opportunity, where they had three children. Times were hard for the family, but Dick worked diligently and later in life often reflected on those times with humor and affection. From February 14th, 1947 through February 28th, 1950 he served in the United States Navy, and then served in the Naval Reserve until 1954. His most frequently told story about that the time, and consequently his favorite, was of a new girlfriend he met while away from home who ended up staying with him for the rest of his life; she was a mermaid tattoo on his forearm. He would flex his wrist and make her dance for any one who had been taken by his tale and bright shining eyes.

In 1959 the family moved to Watsonville, California where Dick and Arvilla raised their children while he worked as a carpenter. Living in California Dick and Arvilla watched their children grow and start families of their own. When not working, Dick kept himself busy by staying involved in CB radio clubs, motorcycle clubs, and being an active member in the Mount Madonna Bowmen club, earning himself and Arvilla lifelong memberships for his dedicated volunteer services.

In 1989 Dick and Arvilla moved to Hamilton to be closer to their son. While living in Hamilton Dick became an active member of the Sons of Norway organization, building for the club their trademark dragon-headed Viking prow-ship. Fondly, and with a sense of mischief, he would take his grandchildren into his shop to show them the boat, and tease them that he was going to set sail and pillage the coasts of California with it someday.

Anyone who met Dick knew him to be a teller of tales, both tall and long, like the man himself. Yarns of growing up in the deserts of Utah, tales of his time spent in the Navy, descriptions of his visits to family in Norway, and stories of his trip to China; all he told merrily with a far off look of nostalgia in his eyes. If he wasn't telling tales of his past to his children and grandchildren- he would regale the willing listener with ditties and songs from his childhood.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Robert McKague and his beloved wife Arvilla. He is survived by his brothers Glenn, Clifford, and David; his sisters Silvia and Elaine; his son, Gary E. Arno and his wife Rosalie of Darby; his daughter, Terri R. Mullis and her husband Wayne of Hamilton; his daughter, Carol Ann Arno of Spokane, Washington; his grandchildren, Naomi, Jennifer, JoAnn, Zachariah, RuthAnn, Gary, Peter, Adom, April, Cathryn, and Richard; 24 great-grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter.

Dick lived a life of kindness and love, "a true softie," his grandchildren would say, despite a seeming gruffness assumed from his great height. All who knew Dick knew of his big heart and his great love for his family, especially for his wife, Arvilla, whose death took a tremendous toll on him. Now that he too has shaken the mortal coils of this life his family can rejoice in the fullness of his years and that he is now reunited with the woman who he loved more than anything on this earth.

At Dick's request no services will be held, a private internment of his ashes will take place at a later date.