Lewis Leroy ARNOLD, age 87, peacefully entered into Jesus’ open arms September 3, 2021. Lew was born in Palmdale and was a lifelong resident of the Antelope Valley. His first job, at age 12, was at the old Palmdale Hotel as a dishwasher. Later he would work as a “Soda Jerk” at Don Hertel’s Pharmacy. In 1964 he and his family moved to the Moffett Ranch in Leona Valley, where he continued to teach at Palmdale High School and raise cattle. It was during this time he created many years of wonderful memories of long vacations, being involved in 4H, hunting and growing Alfalfa hay.
He loved sports as a young boy and used to recall his mother saying, “You will never amount to anything, all you want to do is chase a ball” and chase it he did, through his entire life. He played football, basketball and baseball at Antelope Valley High School and Antelope Valley Community College. Lew was a part of the first basketball team at AVCC to make it to the Final Four in 1953. He went on to attend college at Fresno State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Masters Degree in Administration from Pasadena City College.
Lew’s first teaching job, in 1958 [1958/1959 school year], was in Trona, California as an Assistant Football Coach. In 1959 he returned to his hometown to teach at Palmdale High School where he coached football, baseball and also taught Geography. He was ROTC Commander at both Trona and Palmdale High. As varsity baseball coach at Palmdale High School, Lew never had a losing season. In 1970 he transferred to Quartz Hill High School to coach football and teach math. In 1973 he transferred to Antelope Valley High School. In 1989, he taught at Highland High School and retired in 1990. In 2014 Lew was inducted into the Antelope Valley College Hall of Fame for his coaching and athletic career. In 2015, he was inducted to the Antelope Valley High School Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in athletics.
In 1990 he married Pat, and they would spend 31 inseparable years. A career in country western dancing amassed hundreds of trophies and championships and they taught thousands of students to dance in the Antelope Valley during the 1990’s and 2000’s. A successful DJ business followed for 12 years. They traveled all over the US to both dance and see the country and had many adventures. They taught celebrities to dance and performed in many events including TV commercials. A bucket list dream was fulfilled when they volunteered for the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. In 2018, Lew and Pat went to visit The Ark Encounter, a trip they cherished together.
Lew was an extraordinary man of achievements. He never gave up on anything he wanted to do in life. He began playing trumpet in 4th grade and continued through high school marching in the Rose Parade twice. He was a college campus fireman, a lifeguard and later Pool Manager at Courson Park Pool, participating in the Aquacades as a form and clown diver. He also taught swimming classes there. Later he operated Ritter Park Sportsman’s Ranch in Leona Valley, was a private pilot who owned his own plane, a state auctioneer, and a dog trainer, whose dogs worked in the movie and commercial industry for over 10 years. Lew was a scuba diving instructor holding LA County #15 instructor card. He took his students on many trips to the outer islands to scuba dive and had many stories of those days.
Lew owned Del Sur Gardens Restaurant and Bar many years. He was an avid tennis player from 1975-2019. He played weekly at the AVCC with his friends and won many trophies in competitions including with his grandsons. In 2014 he went to the world Senior Games and became a bronze medal winner in his favorite sport. Always striving to win, he vowed to go back and get gold.
Lew’s greatest devotion was to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His family will always remember him as a loving and teaching husband, father, grandpa and great grandpa who always reflected Christ’s love. Left behind to cherish his memory, are his loving & devoted wife Pat, his sister Joy and our combined family of children: Kim, Jill(Brian), Mike (MaryAnn), Ann(Dan), Deana (Steve), Lys (Lou), John (Mariah); 12 Grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews, his first wife Dorothy and best friends Grady and Sandra and Marv and Carol, all of whom he adored.
A private family burial will be held at this time. A Celebration of Life will be held later this year for this extraordinary man. We are hopeful that Lew’s friends, students, dancers, and athletes will come and share their stories. Date and location of the Celebration will be announced at a later time. Cards may be mailed to the family at 42220 10th Street W., Suite 101, Lancaster, CA 93534
In lieu of flowers, donations in Lew’s name can be made to the “West Valley Historical Society”, P.O. Box 1972, Lancaster, CA 93939 to help restore the “1915 Leona Valley Schoolhouse”. Lew was passionate about the restoration of the old schoolhouse that was a big part of his early family life.
Published by The Antelope Valley Press on Sep. 19, 2021.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/avpress/name/lewis-arnold-obituary?pid=200141732