Hitt W. Arnold, Jr.

Hitt Watkins Arnold Jr. entered into rest at his home on Lake Murray in the early morning on June 15, 2021.

Hitt was born on August 9, 1939, in Hollins, AL, to Hitt Watkins Arnold, Sr. and Iona Catherine Shaw Arnold.

Hitt grew up in Jackson, SC. After graduating from Jackson High School, he joined the Air Force in 1959 as an air military police. During this time, he excelled as a sharpshooter, obtaining many first-place medals in the 32 ^nd Air Division and other various pistol matches. After a tour of duty on the DEW Line inside the Artic Circle, Hitt returned to the Aiken Air Force Station.

His professional career included working at SRS, Continental Can Company in Augusta, GA developing the thermomechanical pulp process and later assisted with building TMP Mills in Ashland, VA and Grenada, MS. Upon retirement in 1994, Hitt resided to the Gulf Coast in Magnolia Springs, AL. before later relocating to Lake Murray in Prosperity, SC, to be closer to his family and friends.

Hitt was an avid hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman. His true passion was saltwater fishing. He received a plaque from North Carolina for catching a White Marlin off the coast of Hatteras. He was, above all else, a devoted husband, father, granddaddy, great-grandaddy, and friend.

Hitt is preceded in death by his parents, Hitt Watkins Arnold Sr. and Iona Catherine Shaw Arnold; Mother & Father-in-law, Treva Hurst Farley and William Terrence Farley; sister Frankie Arnold Brooks; sons Paul Daniel Harper Jr. and Hitt Watkins Arnold III.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Fuller Arnold; son Kevin Edward Arnold (Crystal) North Augusta, SC; daughters Trisha Thaxton Roberts (Steve), Aspen, CO, and Tonia Thaxton DeCenzo, Newnan, GA, and daughter-in-law Lisa Ratliff Arnold, Bennetts Point, SC; grandchildren: Catherine (Brooks) Lanham Edgefield, SC; Danielle (Chad) Moody, Kevin Arnold, Abby Arnold, North Augusta, SC; Ansley DeCenzo, Christian DeCenzo, Newnan, GA, and great-grandchildren Trent Lanham, Evan Lanham, Maddy Lanham, Edgefield, SC and Kel Arnold, North Augusta, GA; Sisters: Trisha Arnold, North Compton, MA; and Jeannie Arnold Franklin Jackson, SC. Several nieces and nephews. Hitt’s longtime friend and partner in crime John Harvey (Regina), Prosperity, SC.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, June 26, 2021, at the McSwain-Evans Funeral Home. The family invites everyone to visit with them following the service at the home.

In lieu of flowers family ask donations to be made to SC Waterfowl Association, Camp Woodie Scholarship, 9833 Old River Road, Pinewood, SC 29125, (please add to your note: Hitt Arnold Jr & Colton Williams Memorial); or the American Lung Association.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to: Dr. Thomas Bradberry and the Remain At Home team: Ryan & Jessie Williams & Kellie Carroll, and Dr Klassen; MUSC Lung Transplant Team (Dr. Mullins); and the MUSC Cardiothoracic Group (Dr. Denlinger & Dr. Gilpin) for the care of our loved one.