Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Announcements => Topic started by: Fred Arnold on December 18, 2016, 05:20:48 pm
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"A boy's dream, A man's life"
The bow and arrow spoke to him when he was five years old
It said, come play with me young lad if you should be so bold
The singing string and whispering shaft was music to his soul
He knew it was a part of him when he was twelve years old
The bow was small for a lad so tall as he grew so long and lean
A new bow he sought, and finely bought, this lad who turned sixteen
The years they flew and at twenty two, a bow for the bride he took
Together they hunted for whitetail deer from their camp by a babbling brook
Soon a little bow hung along side the bows of mom and dad
Then another,.. and still another,.. three little bowmen this couple had
As time went by the children grew, then Grand children came along
Once again, the longbow sang, it's captivating song
This new generation was soon to learn the wonders of stick and string
They watched as Grandpa showed them, the joys the bow could bring
No one can count the arrows that this man has sent to flight
Someday he'll shoot his very last shaft into the murky night
But for now there's a great grand child who must learn of the bow from me
This old man, still loves his bow, at the age of seventy three.
TO BE CONTINUED
-unknown
Found on Fred’s computer
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Fredrick Eugene Arnold, born November 20th 1949, died at the age of 67 while sleeping in the home he
built in Elba, NE during the quiet morning hours of December 11th, 2016.
Fred, born the eldest son and second child to Darrell Eugene and Irene Cecilia (Cunningham) Arnold is
survived by his mother Irene, seven siblings Paula, Jim, Matt, LeAnne, Monica, Darrell, and Dolores,
four children Guy, Melanie, David, and Jeffrey, thirteen grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father Darrell, brother Dennis, and sister Marilyn.
Fred was born and grew up spit-shining shoes as a boy in North Platte, NE where he learned that an
honest smile and an ethical character can compensate for a little orneriness and a loud laugh. He taught
a brother or two his expertly performed trade and teenage business savvy in the hardworking manner
that only the child of a devout couple with ten children could duplicate. Traveling and working, Fred
used his charm and his love of life and people to win friends across the state of Nebraska. Working as a
shoeshine boy, a butcher, a salesman, and an entrepreneur, Fred was able to take care of himself and
those close to him who needed it. Fred's honesty, loyalty, and hard work earned him a reputation as a
man that people could trust. For around twenty years Fred lived and worked in Grand Island while
raising a family before finding a piece of property that he had always wanted in Elba where he and his
children built a house and where he settled for good. Fred spent his time crafting quality traditional
longbows and custom traditional arrows. Known only as Bowferd to some, he continued in the same
manner as he always had, creating another group of true friends who respected his work and worth.
Fred, you were an avid bowman and nature lover, a worker and a player. You were a true cowboy. A
son, a father, a brother, a protector, an adviser, a comedian, and a dancer. Your spirit cannot be replaced,
and your laugh cannot be replicated. Before you left us, you said that you were at peace with God. Go
with God, Fred. You will be sorely missed.
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I apologize if there is a more appropriate place to post this. I know that my father loved the activity on these boards and that there may have been unfinished business with some of you, his friends. I am sorry to have to inform you that my father, Fred, has passed away. He made sure to tell me to be sure to notify all of you in the event of his passing. I cannot express my gratitude enough for the company that you all have kept with him these last years of his life. He spoke fondly of everything that he did with fellow enthusiasts, and because he lived in a isolated area, all of you were some of the closest friends that he had. I will miss him dearly, and I wish that we had gotten around to a little more of the training that he intended for me but with any luck perhaps I will have the time to learn some of his tricks from all of you. I will not be able to address the boards as often as he might have, but would like to get more familiar with all of you and, in time, find out if I have some of his craft.
If there is any unfinished business outstanding please notify me at david.p.arnold@gmail.com and if there is a way to settle it then I will try to do so.
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My condolences for your loss.
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Very, very hard to read this. My thoughts are with all of his family and close friends.
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Condolences on your loss, I have one of Fred's bows and it is a fine weapon. Try to remember the good times and let the rest go
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So sorry for your loss. Fred will be missed here on PA.
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I'm so sorry for your loss and though your father has shoot his very last shaft into our sky I'm sure he made it possible for many others to let them fly. I'm sure he will join those who've gone before us to the Happy Hunting grounds. May God Bless him and take him home
Bjrogg
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So sorry for your loss, and ours. He will be missed. :( Thoughts and prayers with you and his family.
Pappy
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Very sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family.
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My deepest condolences
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My condolences to you and the family. While I didn't know Mr. Arnold, he was part of our family and he will be missed. Thank you so much for letting us know of his passing, so we may grieve with you. God Bless you and your family during this hard time.
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My condolences for your loss. Always tough losing a loved one.
G
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I'll loose an arrow in his honour. Condolences to you all.
Del
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I got to talk with Fred a couple of times on the phone this past year. What a fine father you had. My prayers go out to your family.
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My condolences for your loss. May happy memories shine through your grieving.
Darran.
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Prayers go out to your family. Very sorry to hear this, Fred will be missed by many.
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go in peace, Fred.
rich
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May you and your family find peace and comfort in remembering the good times, I send my prayers and condolence's.
Kevin
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So sorry for your loss, David.
He takes them too soon sometimes :(
-unknown
Found on Fred’s computer
Ron LaClair (trad gang) wrote this version back in 2010.
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Fred and I locked horns more than once, but more times than not we shared plenty of laughs and knowing nods. I knew he was there to get my back if I asked him, and I am sure he knew I was there for him the same way.
Along that line, if there is an unfinished trade that needs to be made right, I will endeavor to help make it up. I know for a fact, another couple hundred hands just shot up saying they will stand in the breach for Fred, your father, as well. And not a one of us will accept anything in exchange or consideration more than a word of thanks.
Thank you so much for taking the time and the pains to come here and inform us of your father's passing. I know this is not an easy time for you and how difficult it must be to sit at the computer and type out those words to us...a crowd of strangers to you. But Fred was one of us, and by extension, you are as well. You are welcome within our ranks and have the right to call on us for any help or consolation we can offer.
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David! My deepest condolences for your loss. I only met your dad through this site. As I have also met other fine folks. Remember him with laughter and smiles.
Ben
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Thank you for taking the time to let us know
about your dad. Not an easy thing to do.
I, am glad to know that your dad spent his
last moments peacefully in the home he built
for, your family and himself.
That's how it was for my dad and our family.
God bless you all.
Zuma
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My deepest condolences. He will be greatly missed.
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I'm sorry to hear that he passed on. I had the privilege of sending him a bunch of stuff for the Christmas trade last year. He was most appreciative and seemed like a great fellow. I wonder if he ever built a bow out of that osage stave I sent him.
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Go in peace!
Andreas
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Thank you all.
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So sorry for your loss, Fred was like and respected by a lot of folks around here and will be missed for years to come. I regret that I never got around to making the phone call. I always wanted to have a conversation with Fred.
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Sad to hear of your loss Fred.It's kinda like a steady rock that has disappeared.My thoughts are with you.
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Our sympathies are with fyou and your family.
Hawkdancer