Clarence William Arndt

Clarence William Arndt passed away at the age of 97 on December 1, 2009. He was born on August 8, 1912 to Fred and Viola Arndt. He was raised in Marshall, MO and graduated from Missouri Valley College in 1936. Clarence served in World War II as a staff sergeant in the Army Air Corps, 5th Air Force 348th Fighter Group, and 340th Fighter Squadron. He served in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines. He was also a crew chief on the P47 and P51 fighter planes. He was awarded the Asiatic/Pacific Medal with 5 battle stars, Philippines Liberation Medal with 1 battle star, and the Philippines Independence Medal, WWII Victory Medal and Army of Occupation Medal. Clarence married Iva Hazell on March 16, 1947. He was employed as an Associate Accountant and Auditor with the Campbell Teggert Baking Co., CJ Patterson Company and retired from Farmland Industries in 1977. After retiring he started a new career abdicating for Senior Citizens becoming a charter member of the Kansas City Silver Haired Legislature in 1983 and serving 14 years. He served as Speaker of the House, Treasurer and as a member of the Board of Directors and Chair Person of the Johnson County delegation. Clarence was also a charter member of the National Silver Haired Congress for 7 years. In 1986 he received the National Community Service Award from the AARP. In 1995 Clarence was a delegate to the White House Conference on Aging. He was a recipient of the Shawnee Mission Shepherd Center 1996/1997 award for Distinguished Service to the Community. In 1997 he received a certificate of appreciation award for Leadership in Kansas to establish the Nation Silver Haired Congress for the years 1984-1996. In 2004 he was awarded the annual Leadership in Aging Award. He chaired the Legislative committee for AARP Branch 2333. He was witness to the signing of the Proclamation of Older Americans Month. He was one of the past Presidents of Aging Forums, Inc. He was a member of the Johnson County Commission of Aging. He also served on the Kansas/Northwestern Missouri Medicare Beneficiary Advisory Committee. He was also a member of the National Association of Accounts. He was a 50 year member of the American Legion Post #370. He was a member of the Masonic Oakville Lodge #599, Memphis, TN. He was a church elder and church Treasurer for 18 years at the Overland Park Presbyterian Church. Clarence is survived by his wife Iva, 62 years of the home, three daughters, Merri, Denver, CO, Ann, Overland Park, KS and Lori and son-in-law Stephen, Olathe, KS and 2 granddaughters, Kaitlin and Kelly Myers. Clarence was an honorable man. He was generous in his time and service to others, a man of integrity and courage. He was loved by his family and friends and will be missed. Services will be held at D.W. Newcomer’s Son’s Overland Park Chapel. Visitation to be held at 10:00 am, December 4, 2009 prior to the funeral service to at 11:00 am. Clarence will be laid to rest at Mount Moriah, KCMO following the funeral service. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to the Overland Park Presbyterian Church. Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.dwnewcomers.com. Arr: D.W. Newcomer’s Sons Overland Park Chapel, 8201 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS 66204. (913) 648-6224.

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