J.W. Woodward Funeral Home | Spartanburg, SC

Obituary For Raymond Arnold, Jr.

Raymond Thomas Arnold, Jr.

Spartanburg, SC- Raymond (“Ray”) Thomas Arnold, Jr. passed away at St. Francis Eastside Hospital on Tuesday, July 7, 2020. He was the only child born to the union of the Late Annie Maude Rookard Arnold and Raymond Arnold, Sr, on November 25, 1934, in Westminster, SC. He was a member of Upper Shady Grove Baptist Church (Wellford, SC), where he served as a trustee for many years.

Raymond was married to the late Mary Ellen Ferguson Arnold. He was a devoted father. Widowed since 1979, Mr. Arnold raised their three children as a single parent. Ray’s enthusiasm for education inspired his children to pursue careers in medicine and science.

Ray was the salutatorian of his graduating class at Spartanburg County Training School. He graduated from South Carolina State College (now University) at the young age of 19 (Class of 1954). After 30 years of teaching (at Lincoln and Eastside High Schools), he retired from Greenville County Schools in 1985.

Anyone who knew Ray can affirm his passion for “all things automotive”. He was on the pit crew of the first African American NASCAR racing team, with legendary driver Wendell Scott at its helm (in Car #34). Fellow members of the pit crew affectionately called him “Rags” because he always kept shop rags in his pockets. He served on the pit crew until Mr. Scott retired from the sport in 1973. The two remained very close friends until Mr. Scott’s death in 1990. When Mr. Scott was posthumously inducted into the 2015 NASCAR Hall of Fame Class, Ray was there to bear witness to Mr. Scott’s accomplishments and to share his own personal experiences. Visit RayArnoldLegacy.com to see additional bio information.

In addition to Industrial Arts, Ray taught Automotive Mechanics and Driver Education. He founded a drag racing team at Eastside High School, and he selected his top students to serve on the pit crew. He was especially proud of his students from both Lincoln and Eastside High Schools. Many of them were inspired to pursue careers in education or the automotive industry. Ray often attended class reunions for his students from Lincoln High School. He was well loved by his former students, and a number of them remained in touch with him and his family well into his final days.

Ray sold and repaired cars through Ray Arnold Automotive, and he was also an outstanding salesman at T.A. Mosley’s New and Used Cars in Greenville. Many in the community have shared that he helped them get their first car.

Ray was one of the initial founders of the Spartanburg County Chapter of South Carolina State University Alumni. Fellow alumni remember him for his active involvement. They note that he was instrumental in carrying out the work of the chapter, and he once donated a car for fundraising efforts.

Left to cherish Ray’s memory are his three adult children, Dr. Sonya Arnold, Dr. Antonia Arnold-McFarland (“Toni”), Raymond T Arnold III (Trey), son-in-law Tony D. McFarland, Sr, and a special friend, Louise Scott. He is also cherished by his brothers-in-law Harvey Ferguson, Alton Ferguson, Earl Ferguson, Thomas Perkins; sisters-in-law Cynthia Ferguson and Charlotte Ferguson Taylor; numerous nieces and nephews; close cousin Wayne Rookard; and close family friend Frankie Scott, of Danville, VA (son of the late Wendell Scott and fellow member of Mr. Scott’s NASCAR Team). He will be missed by a host of other relatives from the Rookard, Ferguson, and Arnold families.

July 16, 2020 Visitation - JW Woodward Funeral Home 2:00 - 8:00 PM. Pandemic safety precautions will be in place.

Please bring your own pen to sign the guest book and use hand sanitizer.

July 17, 2020 Graveside Service - Upper Shady Grove Baptist Church 1:00 - 2:00 PM. 180 John Dodd Rd, Wellford, SC

Based on the circumstances, all visitors not participating in the service, may be asked to remain in their cars.

Visit RayArnoldLegacy.com for scholarship details and additional Auto and Racing tribute activities.

July 17 - 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds - Drive-In Expo

July 18 - 12:00 PM - Greenville Pickens Speedway- Victory Lap Car Cruise

Social distancing and public health practices will be enforced at all activities.

If you are not able to attend and would like to submit a video, please contact Toni at 919-576-0051 by noon Wednesday.

Guest Book

Condolences to the family. I knew Mr. Arnold from Lincoln High School and Upper Shady Grove Baptist Church. I had the opportunity to attend several NASCAR races with him. This truly was a life interest for him and I was honored and privileged to have shared this experience. I will always remember Raymond Arnold being true to his word, dedicated to doing the right thing and generous to humanity. Reginald Pearson Mauldin SC

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Peace and blessings to the family as you celebrate Mr. Arnold's life. May his light continue to shine in your hearts. May he Rest In Peace. - Brian Tweedy, Ambria and Jayden Martin

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Mr.Arnold Was a great mentor and teacher. I was in his shot class at Eastside in 1972 & 73. I Still have great memories when he took me to a charlotte race to meet Windle Scott and watched the race from the pits and after the race had dinner with the Scott family. Mrs. Scott made some dynamite fried chicken. Finding that Mr. Arnold has passed from news 4 truly breaks my heart.And I will always remember him and all of the Arnold family will be in my prayers Tony jones Class of 75

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Was a great man a wonderful shop teacher at Eastside High as in his class in 1971 and 1972 in shop class very highly respected and very good man and inspired so many of us to do better and make something out of ourselves inspired me to go to foothills and take auto mechanics which I do today class of 1974 Eastside high Wayne Bryant

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Ray will be missed by many a former student including myself, he instilled a passion for racing and automotive mechanics in a very large number of the students he taught. The careers that were started because of his passion stretch across the country if not the world. Thank You Ray ,I will definitely miss you but will see you again some day in heaven.

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Family, please accept our condolences on the loss of a great Uncle, Father, and outstanding citizen of the community. Phil and Dee.

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Sonya, Toni, and Trey, While it was my pleasure having met you guys it was with my deepest regrets under the circumstances. Mr. Arnold taught me Industrial Arts at Lincoln High School. I found him to be a man of both class and style. His integrity made him who he was. I respected him and will miss him greatly. My prayers are with you all. James Terry

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Toni - My heart is broken for your loss and I cannot imagine what you're going through. However, I do know God doesn't make any mistakes and he is in our hearts and will be here for you through this. I wish you the best as you get through this and know your John Deere Family is here for you. Best & Love, Kimberly Price

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Thinking of you Antonia and family and sending our deepest heartfelt sympathy. Art and Lin Threatt, Knightdale, NC

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We met in 1950 at South Carolina State College and became instant friends for life. Ray never met a stranger. He sold many cars to his friends and keep the cars going. True friends are hard to find but Ray was a true friend. He loved his children, his cars, his friends and State College. He will be missed by me and the Class of 1954. Henry W. Isaac Jr.

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Met Ray in 1976 and he remained a loyal friend. We worked on restoring a 1940 Ford Coupe for many years. Making trips to find parts. Loved to hear Ray reminisce about his pit crew days with Wendell Berry. He was a true mechanical genius. He was so proud of Sonja, Toni and Trey and I am sure they will carry his legacy forward. Miss you. Bob Faucette

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Sending my deepest sympathy to the family. Prayers for strength and comfort during this difficult time. Antoinette

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WE have lost another one of our teachers. No longer will Mr. Arnold grace us with his presence at our Lincoln High Class Reunions. There are just a few of our teachers who are still with us. They were true teachers. Not only were they concerned about our education, but also our well being. We owe them so much. Lincoln High School of Taylors S.C. has produced so many graduates who have made great contributions to our society. Speaking on behalf of the "Class of 1967", Mr. Arnold we thank you and all our teachers. You have run the race; you have finished your course. Well done. Praying that God will grant his family comfort and peace. Judy Rodgers McCoy "Class of 1967"

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I learned how to cut a straight line in shop at Lincoln High School taken Industrial Shop Mr Arnold was the instructor he will be greatly missed Leroy Ferguson 4D82RNP

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You have my deepest sympathy. We met at South Carolina State College and became good friends. He will truly be missed. He really loved his children. Charlie Mae Gilliam, Woodruff, SC

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I attended Lincoln High as a freshman in 1966 to 1967..I am grateful he was part of my village..my thoughts and prayers are with his family! Claude Mack Charlotte, NC

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Thank you Mr. Arnold for being the person that the training you gave help me in bootcamp. RIP

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Sorry for the loss of your Father. Mr.Arnold was my neighbor for years. He help me purchase my first car. A 1976 brown Marvick( brown) My two brothers learn to drive in that car. I got in 1986 & , painted candy apple red 1987 drove until 1999. He will truly be missed.

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Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- J.W. Woodward Funeral Home | Spartanburg, SC