Gary Wayne Arnett
July 8, 1946 — March 12, 2023
Gary Wayne Arnett, 76, of Wooster, Arkansas passed away on March 12, 2023.
Gary was born in Naylor, Arkansas on July 8, 1946 to the late Kyle B. Arnett and Gladys Vaden Arnett. Gary was known as Arnett, Daddy, Pops, Poppy and PawPaw to his family and friends.
Gary graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1964. In December 1965 he and his identical twin, Larry, were drafted into the U.S. Army. They underwent basic and advanced training in Ft. Lewis, Washington to prepare for their deployment to Vietnam. He was a First Class Private, Specialist Fourth class, Acting Sergeant, and eventually a Sergeant in the Second Battalion of the 12th Infantry “Bravo” Company. Along, with Larry, he was awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and their basic training produced identical “expert” rifle qualifications with the M-16 rifle and identical “sharp shooter” qualifications with the M-14 rifle. He was deployed to Dau Tieng, Vietnam via The USNS General Nelson M. Walker.
In February 1967, Gary skillfully led his squad to block VC withdrawal route and encountered enemy fire. Gary was awarded a Bronze Star for Meritorious Achievement in Ground Operations Against Hostile Forces. He was also awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received in action. He was tremendously proud of his Military service and was always ready to tell his war stories.
Gary married his beloved Sue on December 3, 1976. They created a wonderful life together and they were married for 43 years.
He was a truck driver with Hortman Packaging and Union Camp. While still driving in 1995, Gary and Sue started Arnett Family Grocery in Wooster which they owned for a couple of years then started G & S Hotshot Transport Services. Gary and Sue were instrumental in fundraising for the Wooster park. They were respected citizens of the Wooster community.
After retiring in 2013, Gary enjoyed his cabin, pond, gardening, riding his lawnmower and his Rhino. He and Sue enjoyed camping with family and friends and spending time with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Gary never met a stranger, he was always ready to tell one of his stories or jokes to anyone who would listen. He had a great sense of humor. He was a trooper until the end and was a true warrior and our REAL LIFE HERO!
Those left to cherish the wonderful memories of Gary are his daughters, Leigh Ann Arnett Castellanos (Alberto) of Lexington, KY, Paula Crump Winn (William) of Wooster, Pam Crump Horton (Darrell) of Conway. Brothers, Larry Arnett (Kathlyn) of Naylor, and Lyle Arnett (Karen) of Texarkana, TX. Grandchildren, Laci Booth (Andrew) of Conway, Matt Barnard (Brittney) of Greenbrier, Zach Horton, Caroline and Sofia Castellanos. Great- Grandchildren, Rhealea, Marlea, Beckett & Grant Booth, Lily and Briar Barnard. Also a host of nieces, nephews, family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife Sue Earnhart Arnett, his parents, Kyle “Boots’ and Gladys Arnett. Brothers, John “Bud” Arnett, Howard “Shorty” Arnett, Bill Arnett and Sister Ruby Nell Ussery.
Funeral services will be held at 1pm Friday March 17, 2023 at Wilcox Family Funeral Home in Greenbrier. Burial will follow at East Shady Grave Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday March 16, 2023 from 6-8pm at Wilcox Family Funeral Home in Greenbrier.
Pallbearers will be Matt Barnard, Zach Horton, Al Hemmerich, Allen Mallett, Billy Arnett and Junior Arnett.
The Patriot Guard Riders will also serve as Pallbearers/Escorts.
Honorary Pallbearers are Robbie Smith, Jerry Lee Earnhart and Joe Earnhart.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to woundedwarriorproject.org
Gary was born in Naylor, Arkansas on July 8, 1946 to the late Kyle B. Arnett and Gladys Vaden Arnett. Gary was known as Arnett, Daddy, Pops, Poppy and PawPaw to his family and friends.
Gary graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1964. In December 1965 he and his identical twin, Larry, were drafted into the U.S. Army. They underwent basic and advanced training in Ft. Lewis, Washington to prepare for their deployment to Vietnam. He was a First Class Private, Specialist Fourth class, Acting Sergeant, and eventually a Sergeant in the Second Battalion of the 12th Infantry “Bravo” Company. Along, with Larry, he was awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and their basic training produced identical “expert” rifle qualifications with the M-16 rifle and identical “sharp shooter” qualifications with the M-14 rifle. He was deployed to Dau Tieng, Vietnam via The USNS General Nelson M. Walker.
In February 1967, Gary skillfully led his squad to block VC withdrawal route and encountered enemy fire. Gary was awarded a Bronze Star for Meritorious Achievement in Ground Operations Against Hostile Forces. He was also awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received in action. He was tremendously proud of his Military service and was always ready to tell his war stories.
Gary married his beloved Sue on December 3, 1976. They created a wonderful life together and they were married for 43 years.
He was a truck driver with Hortman Packaging and Union Camp. While still driving in 1995, Gary and Sue started Arnett Family Grocery in Wooster which they owned for a couple of years then started G & S Hotshot Transport Services. Gary and Sue were instrumental in fundraising for the Wooster park. They were respected citizens of the Wooster community.
After retiring in 2013, Gary enjoyed his cabin, pond, gardening, riding his lawnmower and his Rhino. He and Sue enjoyed camping with family and friends and spending time with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Gary never met a stranger, he was always ready to tell one of his stories or jokes to anyone who would listen. He had a great sense of humor. He was a trooper until the end and was a true warrior and our REAL LIFE HERO!
Those left to cherish the wonderful memories of Gary are his daughters, Leigh Ann Arnett Castellanos (Alberto) of Lexington, KY, Paula Crump Winn (William) of Wooster, Pam Crump Horton (Darrell) of Conway. Brothers, Larry Arnett (Kathlyn) of Naylor, and Lyle Arnett (Karen) of Texarkana, TX. Grandchildren, Laci Booth (Andrew) of Conway, Matt Barnard (Brittney) of Greenbrier, Zach Horton, Caroline and Sofia Castellanos. Great- Grandchildren, Rhealea, Marlea, Beckett & Grant Booth, Lily and Briar Barnard. Also a host of nieces, nephews, family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife Sue Earnhart Arnett, his parents, Kyle “Boots’ and Gladys Arnett. Brothers, John “Bud” Arnett, Howard “Shorty” Arnett, Bill Arnett and Sister Ruby Nell Ussery.
Funeral services will be held at 1pm Friday March 17, 2023 at Wilcox Family Funeral Home in Greenbrier. Burial will follow at East Shady Grave Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday March 16, 2023 from 6-8pm at Wilcox Family Funeral Home in Greenbrier.
Pallbearers will be Matt Barnard, Zach Horton, Al Hemmerich, Allen Mallett, Billy Arnett and Junior Arnett.
The Patriot Guard Riders will also serve as Pallbearers/Escorts.
Honorary Pallbearers are Robbie Smith, Jerry Lee Earnhart and Joe Earnhart.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to woundedwarriorproject.org
To send flowers to the family in memory of Gary Wayne Arnett, please visit our flower store.