John Arnold (11 Aug 1956 - 30 May 2017)

Hey John x
Been thinking of you lately and how proud you'd be of where I am in life now, with my faith, my personal life and career.
You were a tremendous support to me and my family, while we worked together and long after.
Never far from our thoughts, with every funny joke we hear, you're one of the first we want to forward it onto. Oh how we laughed.

It was with great sadness that we read this. John married us many years ago at Hatfield Road in Ipswich, and we were very good friends. I was thinking about him, Diana and Ruth today and wondering where you all were and how you were. Much love to Diana and family

Thank you to everyone who came to the services yesterday, it was good to shear both tears and laughter together. Thank you especially to all those who took part in any way.
A poem John used which I find especially helpful:
You can shed tears that he is gone,
or you can smile because he lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back,
or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see him
or you can be full of thr love thta you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember him and only that he is gone,
or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
or you can do what he would want ; smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

I remember John at Bala Bangor College. The two of us got on very well. We where a close knit group in the old College. We both went our separate ways. But Facebook brought us together again last year. May you rest in peace my old friend.

I hadn't written before now as i was hoping that I would be able to attend the funeral, I am so sad that I couldn't. I remember so clearly being introduced to John at the CF May Assembly at the end of my first year at University in Liverpool. John gave me his card and explained he was about to start his ministry in Liverpool. I went along to Wavertree as soon as I got back and John, Diana and Ruth were so good to me and I loved the time I spent with them. John was a very special man - funny, kind, supportive, humble.. and made sure the biggest mugs of tea were available at any opportunity. Diana and Ruth I send you all my love at this sad time. Sally x

I was so moved today at Johns service at DewsburyvMoor Crematorium,the singing was so moving and a wonderfull choice of hymns.
May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
Stephen parker
Organist Dewsbury Minster.

John was such an inspiration to me as a free church minister, even though I did not know him that well, only through my wife, who was one of his youth and church members at Hatfield Road, Ipswich. He gave me loads of good advice about entering ministry and hospital chaplaincy. He preached at our wedding and his daughter was a bridesmaid. John and Diana had us to stay twice when they were in Liverpool. He didn't have to do any of this: it was above and beyond the call of duty. But that was John. The world is a poorer place for his absence, but heaven the richer.

John worked with me when we was young,we both was fishmongers at macfisheries, I have found memories of our many lunch time drinks in the Regent Hotel and even more drinks on our many nights out,might have been a long time ago but the roads of Oldham still have the marks of John's caliper on them from him riding on the back of my motorbike, will remember him in our prayers today and in our church in Oldham.

I remember we first met about 6 years ago. I was very nervous to meet Trish's oldest friends. I felt like I was meeting a boyfriends parents for the first time. I needent of worried. You felt like family and although it is a relatively short time we feel blessed and honoured to have known you. We will miss you. Sunday lunch won't be the same without you and we are thankful you were able to meet us just a few weeks ago. Sorry we can't be there to say goodbye. Love Alye and Paul

John and Diana opened up their hearts and Ipswich home to me many years ago. They taught me of Jesus and how a life lived with Jesus was a life lived to the full! God used them to bring me to know him too, and that is when I started my amazing journey with Jesus. I enjoyed many laughs and gained much knowledge spending time with John, I remember many happy times spent with the family, I especially enjoyed time spent playing with his beautiful little daughter Ruth. John kindly returned to Ipswich from Liverpool to conduct my wedding, and allowed his daughter to be my bridesmaid, this meant so much to me. I have been able to have many visits to see John and his family over the years, but sadly not recently. John has always welcomed me and my family into his home, and shown us great love, cooked us great home made food, and yes there was always plenty of laughs and jokes to be shared. I thank God that he gave me the privilege and blessings of knowing John.