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.