Dr. David Jefferson Arnold, 47, died Friday afternoon, December 3, 2004, in Birmingham, AL. He was born December 15, 1956 in Blakely, GA, to Margaret Boyett Arnold and the late William Franklin Arnold, Sr.
Dr. Arnold graduated Southwest Georgia Academy in 1974. He graduated Davidson College, Davidson, NC in 1978 with a bachelor of science degree with special attainments in chemistry. While at Davidson, he was also a member of the varsity football team, a freshman hall counselor his junior year and a member and officer of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He attended graduate school at Duke University, Durham, NC with a full tuition stipend provided through teaching and research. He received the degree of doctor of philosophy for studies in analytical electro-chemistry May 8, 1983. Dr. Arnold attended the School of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia and received a dean’s student research fellowship for his original research proposal “A Novel Potassium Micro-electrode.” He received the doctor of medicine degree June 5, 1987.
He served as a resident physician in the department of internal medicine at the University of Alabama Hospitals of Birmingham for three years. He was awarded a four-year Bugher Foundation Fellowship for the study of cardiology at the Baylor School of Medicine and Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas. His specialty was electrophysiology. Dr. Arnold also received a North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology fellowship for research in cardiac pacing and an American Heart Association fellowship along with other professional awards and recognitions.
Upon completion of the fellowship, he became an assistant professor at Baylor and Methodist Hospital. He later joined a private practice in electrophysiology. At the time of his death, Dr. Arnold was associated with a private practice group and was on the staff of St. Vincent’s Hospital, Birmingham. Dr. Arnold was board certified in internal medicine, cardiology and electrophysiology.
He was a member of the American Medical Association, the American College of Cardiology, the Jefferson County Medical Society, and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology. He was a member of St. Luke United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas.
David Arnold was a fine citizen who practiced the golden rule. He was a brilliant student and a compassionate physician. He was both humble and steadfast; both gentle and strong. He was a patriotic American and a devout Christian. His honesty and dependability were his greatest virtues. He loved his work, but his greatest love was his family. He was a devoted husband, father, son and brother.
Dr. Arnold is survived by his wife, son, daughter, mother, brother and sister-in-law, sister and brother-in-law, mother-in-law and two sisters-in-law.
A memorial service in celebration of Dr. Arnold’s life will be held Tuesday, December 7, 2004 at 1P.M. at the St. Vincent’s Hospital Auditorium in Birmingham. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:30 P.M. Monday, December 6, at Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Birmingham.
The family requests donations to the First United Methodist Church in memory of David Arnold, P.O. Box 265, Blakely, GA 39823 or the St. Vincent Foundation, P.O. Box 12407, Birmingham, AL 35202.
— Excerpt from obituary published in The Macon Telegraph on December 8, 2004