Vernon

Arnold

Harvey Vernon Arnold, lovingly known as "Uncle Vernon" & "Pa," passed away at the of age 86 on February 25, 2025 at his home in Thomasville Georgia. A Memorial Service will be held at Whiddon Shiver Funeral Home on Saturday – March 1, 2025 at 3:00 pm. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm.

Arnold was born on September 6th, 1938 in Smithville, TN as the youngest of 5 children.  It was the end of the Great Depression and therefore he claimed himself as a "depression baby."  His oldest sister Rubye had already started her family and had a 2 yearold son, Wayne, when Arnold was born. Therefore, his nickname of "Uncle Vernon," had merit to it before he even took his first breath.

When he was in high school, he'd spend his afternoons on an outdoor dirt court practicing basketball and listening to the radio. Similarly, during the summer he would work on the family farm and pull out the radio every lunch break, thinking to himself he'd love to work in radio one day.  After graduation Arnold got a job at the Wagon Water Heater Factory and signed up for broadcast school night classes at Mid-South Electronics. "They tried to teach me to not use that Tennessee twang," he says.  In his free-time he took up another job at the small school radio station. In 1959 the WWNS station in Statesboro, GA got ahold of one of his tapes and offered him a job over the phone. Arnold had never lived outside of Tennessee, but he accepted happily. He recalls his time in Statesboro with light in his eyes, speaking of the beauty of the azaleas.

His time in radio had to take a pause in 1961 when he was drafted to the U.S. Army and stationed in Germany for 2 years. During his time overseas Arnold traveled throughout Europe and was awarded a medal for Good Conduct. Afterwards, he was able to return back to his true passion - radio.  Arnold, or as his listeners would say, "Uncle Vernon" is everything you would expect a radio host to be. His voice booms, not in a threatening way, but in a welcoming way. His wit is quick, and his laughter is contagious. "Uncle Vernon" quickly became south Georgia's good-hearted narrator through the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

During his time he worked at many radio stations but one that held a special place is WJEM in Valdosta where he had an over 25 year stint - during which raised a family. After a decade or so of being a loyal employee he became the owner of the station and operated it for 9 wonderful years.  In 2018 he was recognized as a Career Achievement Inductee to the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame for his decades of contribution to radio media.  An accolade he was very proud of.

Retiring in the beautiful city of Thomasville with his wife Janiz and daughter Anna and never one to sit still, in retirement he took up substitute teaching, worked the polls during elections, and most excitedly chair making. Known locally as the "chair man," he adorned the community with hand made Adirondack chairs.

Despite his many career accomplishments, Arnold will mostly be remembered for how he made others feel. When out and about, Arnold never met a stranger and had a special ability to make whoever he was speaking with feel like the most important person in the room. He lit up every room with his 1000 watt smile and will be missed immensely by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Janiz Arnold of Thomasville, GA, daughter Laura (Boris) Kostovetsky of Macon, GA, daughter Anna Arnold of Thomasville, grandchildren, Wesley (Fabiola) Kostovetsky of Macon, Kathryn Kostovetsky of Los Angeles, CA, Eleanor Chubb, Sophie Jane Chubb, and Parker Beck, all of Thomasville, great-grandchildren Jacob Cisneros, Mia Kostovetsky, Isabella Kostovetsky, Solomon Morton, Nicholas Ragsdale, Reuben Ragsdale, nieces and nephews, Wayne Cantrell, Cathy Baker, Brenda Gay, and Tommy Hale along with many great nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents William Thomas Arnold and Ethel Parriot Arnold, sisters Rubye Cantrell and Geneva Hale, brothers Fred Arnold and Clifford Arnold, and mother-in-law Gerri Sutphin.