Arnold Person

Lieutenant Colonel Arnold Leonard Person, Arnie or tail code Silver Fox, passed away on May 9th, 2017. A veteran of the Korean and Vietnam War, he was a decorated career Air Force pilot. Arnie Person was born on August 3rd, 1932 in New York City, NY, to Swedish immigrants, Martha and Nils Person. He spent his formative years in Sweden before returning to the U.S. at the age of seven. His 25-year Air Force career began as a noncommissioned officer, before entering officer training school, and then becoming a regular commissioned officer in 1968.A devoted husband, father, and officer, Arnie met his beautiful wife at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. After just six weeks of courtship they married in 1955. As a result, his devoted wife, Lorraine, and four children, Katherine, Ingrid, Leonard, and Michael chased him around the world. Between flying missions for bombers, spy planes, transports and medevac's, Arnie had his finger on the pulse of Military, Strategic, and Technical Air Command. He and his family's unique adventures made them citizens of the world, uprooting the entire family to 12 different locations. These included: Altas AFB, OK, Dyass AFB, TX, Plattsbugh AFB, NY, McConnell AFB, KS, Maxwell AFB, AL, Syracuse University, NY, Lackland AFB, TX, Dover AFB, DE, Yokota AFB, Japan, MaGuire AFB, NJ, and Anderson AFB, Guam.After his retirement, Arnie was an avid reader, swimmer, political junkie, and enjoyed separating his time between beaching in Clearwater, FL, and hiking the mountains of Blue Ridge, GA. Husband, father, and grandfather, he always had an enormous heart for his family. Arnie is survived by his wife, Lorraine; children, Kathy Zangen, Ingrid Cordell, Len Person, and Mick Person; grandchildren, Steven Erekson (Kate), Lindsay Knoblock (Adam), Erica Fox (Taylor), Rainey Cordell, Michele Zangen, Alex Person, Molly Cordell, Charlie Person, Bridget Person, Dan Person, and Ellie Person and immediate family, brother, Stanley Person.After a long eight-month battle from a pacemaker complication, Arnie peacefully returned to his Creator. Funeral Services will take place at Good Shepherd Memorial Gardens, 5050 S.W. 20th St., Ocala, FL 34474 on Friday May 12th at 2:30 PM with a visitation preceding the service at 1:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Gainesville Fisher House, a respite for family members while their Veterans are hospitalized. Checks should be made out to Gainesville VA Fisher House, Gainesville VAMC, 1601 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608.

Arnold Person

August 3, 1932 - May 9, 2017