Loudon pedestrian struck, killed on I-40
According to a THP report, Edwin H. Arnold, 77, Loudon, died when he was hit shortly before 3:18 a.m. at mile marker 371.
Trooper Richard Conatser reported that Kurie Alichzah Merritt, 25, of Tampa, was driving a 2010 Freightliner truck carrying pallets on westbound I-40. Arnold was parked on the right shoulder of the interstate and was waiting on his grandson, who had been in a single-vehicle accident, Conatser reported.
The THP said Arnold exited his vehicle, looked left and right as a tractor-trailer went by, and stepped out in front of Merritt's tractor-trailer. Merritt swerved the tractor-trailer to avoid Arnold, but the right mirror on the rig struck Arnold.
Edwin H. Arnold, Sr.
(October 18, 1934 -
March 24, 2012)
Edwin Harrison Arnold, Sr. age 77, passed away Saturday, March 24, 2012 at UT Medical Center. Born October 18, 1934.
Grew up in Maynardville and Knoxville. Son of James and Grace (Harrison) Arnold. Ed graduated from High School at the age of 16 in the last class to ever attend Old Knox High. He received his undergraduate degree at the University of Tennessee where he was a proud member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, and developed his unwavering love of UT sports. Later, he attended law school at Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee during which time he married Sara. They settled in Loudon in 1958, where he practiced law and began to raise a family.
He was father to four children: Mona, Buddy, Danny, and Diana. Over the years in Loudon, he was an active community member. He joined the Jaycees in the early years and later the Lions Club. He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Loudon where he sang joyfully in the choir each week and performed as a deacon for many years. He was elected to the state legislature from 1963-1967, nearly missing the birth of his second son due to a special session. He also served as Assistant Attorney General for Blount, Loudon and Roane counties.
Besides his church and community, Ed had a love for sports. He seldom missed a UT basketball or football game, even when the teams were not at their best. He was an avid golfer and will be sorely missed in his favorite foursome with Gary, Alan, and Carl.
In later years, he was remarried and formed a second family with Ann and two sons Aaron and Noah. Ed was always happiest with a houseful of loved ones. He was preceded in death by son, Buddy (Edwin Jr.) and parents Grace and James Arnold.
He leaves behind a loving family. Survived by wife, Ann and sons, Aaron Arnold and Noah Arnold; son and daughter in-law, Danny and Nancy Arnold, La Follette, daughters and son in-law, Diana and Mike McClurg, Louisville and . Mona Arnold, Knoxville; sister and brother in-law, Judy and Toby Rogers, Knoxville; niece, Sarah Rogers; grandchildren, Mitchell, Matthew, Jake, Ben, Madison, and Casey and a multitude of friends. He was loved by all and will be missed forever.
Services honoring and remembering the life of Ed Arnold will be held 7:30 PM Monday, March 26, at the First Baptist Church, Loudon with Rev. Richard Everett officiating. Interment 11:00 AM Tuesday in Loudon County Memorial Gardens.
Contributions in memory of Ed Arnold may be made to First Baptist Church, 413 Wharf St., Loudon, TN 37774 or to the Lions Club, 422 River Bend Dr., Loudon, TN 37774. The family will receive friends Monday from 12:00 – 1:30 PM and again 5:00 – 7:00 PM prior to the service at First Baptist Church, Loudon. McGill-Karnes Funeral Home, Loudon. www.mcgillkarnes.com