Masae Takemura Arnold

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend Services for Masae Takemura Arnold will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, October 30, 2004 at the Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home located at 1700 Normal Park in Huntsville, TX. Mark Waldron will address family and friends during a celebration of Masae’s life. Burial will follow at Brooke Cemetery on F.M. 980. Arrangements are through the Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home where visitation will occur Friday, October 29, 2004 from 6:00-8:00 P.M. Masae was born in Tokyo, Japan on June 24, 1925, the daughter of Tamotsu and Toshiko Takemura. She passed away after a courageous bout with Alzheimer’s on October 27, 2004. She graduated with her pharmacy degree from the Women’s University of Tokyo. While serving as an English interpreter at the 361st Military Hospital in Tokyo, Japan in 1950, Masae met her partner in life, Willard L. Arnold. They have shared a wonderful life together for 53 years. During their time together, they lived in many different locations while Willard served in the military. In 1957, they moved back to the United States, after having achieved her U. S. citizenship and having brought two children, Will and Nancy, into the world. Following the birth of their third child (Eddy) in 1965, Masae showed great fortitude and tenacity while raising three young children during Willard’s tours of duty in Vietnam serving in the Army. In 1969, they moved to Huntsville, Texas. During her time in Texas, she performed volunteer work for the local schools and eventually retired from the Texas Department of Corrections after 10 years as a mail clerk. Masae, known as “Nana”, is survived by her husband Willard L. Arnold, her children and their spouses Will and Bristol Arnold of Humble, Nancy and Mark Waldron of Huntsville, and Eddy and Dorothy Arnold of Tomball. Her grandchildren include Tommy and Lisa Waldron, Ashley and Andy Arnold, and Eddy Kyle, Nate, Sam, and Cameron Arnold. Throughout her life, Masae showed her devotion not only to her family in Texas, but also her family in Japan. She served not only as a common link between families separated by continents, but as a common bond between different cultures. One particular aspect of the American culture that she embraced whole-heartedly was football. She was a fantastic supporter of the local school teams, but her greatest passion was the Dallas Cowboys. Truly, anyone that knew Masae knows that the Cowboys have lost one of their most loyal and devoted fans. In the last few years of her life, Masae, and her family, were blessed in finding a truly loyal friend and companion named Kathy Hayden. It was during these twilight years of Masae’s life that Kathy Hayden stepped in and offered a loving touch laced with dignity and respect for which the entire Arnold family is eternally thankful. Her family and friends will always cherish memories of Masae’s bountiful dinner table, open arms that knew few strangers and warm, devoted personality.

Masae Takemura Arnold

June 24, 1925 - October 30, 2004