Clay Merlin Arnold's Obituary
Clay Merlin Arnold, 57, of Welch, OK, passed away Sunday evening, January the 25th, 2026, at Freeman West in Joplin, surrounded by his family.
He was born in Vinita, OK on July the 22nd, 1968, to Homer Merlin Arnold and Sandra Jean (Beaty) Arnold. He was a graduate of Welch High School. After high school, he trained in auto body painting at the Vo-Tech in Tulsa.
He was currently working as a dump truck driver for the Quapaw Tribe. He was jack of all trades. He could weld or build anything you wanted him to. He had also worked on oil rigs in Texas. He loved to hunt, weld flat beds, grille guards, dog pens, and dog boxes for the coyote hunters.
His is preceded in death by his father, Merlin Arnold, and his grandparents, Homer and Naomi Arnold.
He is survived by his wife, Lauri, of the home; a son, Cade Arnold and wife Katie of Big Cabin; his mother, Sandra Arnold of Welch; two brothers, Shawn Arnold and Justin Mount; and two grandchildren, Cooper and Ellie Arnold.
The family will receive friends at the Thomas & Chenoweth Funeral Home in Welch from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, January the 29th, 2026. A private family burial will be held at the Walker Cemetery.
The casket will be closed at all times.
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