Donald L. Arnold, Loving “Patriarch,” passed away on December 12, 2015 surrounded by his family. Don, born on October 27, 1942, was originally from Chicago, IL and a Naples resident since 1959. After attending the University of Florida on a Basketball scholarship Don and the Arnold Family were proprietors of Arnold’s Variety Store and Gulf Sporting Goods. Don along with his father Arthur, established the family real estate business, Arnold and Arnold developing several of the Gulf Shore Boulevard Condominiums before continuing as Arnold Development Companies, developing commercial and industrial office parks in Naples and throughout the Southwest Florida area. Don’s local business endeavors also included Don Arnold Lincoln Mercury/Honda which he sold in the early 1980s. His enthusiasm for automobiles inspired the forming of Arnold Motorsports a Winston Cup NASCAR team (Naples Daily News).
Arnold Motorsports ran 44 races using the #50 Dodge from 2004-2005 with drivers Todd Bodine(11 races), Derrike Cope(12), Jeff Fuller(3), P.J. Jones(5), Mike Wallace(3), Jorge Goeters(1) and Jimmy Spencer(9). Spencer has the best finish for the team, a 21st at Bristol in 2005. Arnold also owned a share of a Craftsman Truck Series team with Germain Motor Company as the #30 Toyota.
Condolences, full obituary and service info on the Sad News Page.(12-16-2015)
