Cole Arnold

     Graveside services will be Thursday, September 1, 2022, at 10:30 am at the Broken Bow Cemetery in Broken Bow, NE with Garry Morgan officiating. Please feel welcome to come as you are and dress as you wish. Considering Cole’s interests, band T-shirts, ball jerseys or anything that you think would have made him smile is just fine. A visitation will take place on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm with family greeting 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Govier Brothers Mortuary. Online condolences may be left at www.govierbrothers.com.

     Cole McKinley Arnold, age 37, died in his home in Merna on August 24th, 2022. He was born on April 20th, 1985, to Tyke and Louise Arnold at the Broken Bow hospital. He was raised on the family farm in Broken Bow and graduated BBHS in 2004. He excelled at music and sports throughout his high school career and made the most of his young years with his friends, many of whom remained close throughout his life.

     Cole attended UNL briefly and continued to reside in Lincoln over the next few years, working some seasonal jobs and having his youth college experience among friends. Eventually, he came back to his calling on the farm and worked it like he belonged there. There wasn’t a question about the farm you could ask him that he wouldn’t have an intelligent and educated answer for. He enjoyed a job well done and was proud of his agricultural intuition and knowledge.

     One of Cole’s passions was music. He loved to listen, discover, and revel in music, often sending YouTube links to friends and family when the mood struck him, or a song reminded him of someone. He was musically gifted with the guitar, the drums, the piano and most stunningly, with his voice. He enjoyed setting a mellow mood when he got out his guitar to play and sing. When you climbed into his car, you were expected to enjoy the vibe with him as he played his favorites.

     Another of Cole’s impressive talents included softball. He was a strategic and effortless player, often one of the best on the field. He had his own “style” of ball playing and was sometimes unconventional, but always effective.

     Cole very much enjoyed consuming arts other than music including documentaries on true crime, history, and organized crime, which was his perfect blend of both. However, he never shied away from good fiction when it came along. He was also an avid reader. His favorite piece of literature in his possession was a poetry collection by Edgar Allan Poe, given to him by his mother as a Christmas present.

     Cole enjoyed being a spectator of sports and was proud of his sports memorabilia and wealth of knowledge concerning the subject. He would often text or call his dad to tell him a great game was on or to discuss a recent game that had been played or to alert him that a game was currently on. He had an intricate and critical mind that made his analyzation of games insightful and interesting.

     As a self-proclaimed expert on useless, but interesting trivial information, Cole was always an effortless conversationalist. He made fast friends and was a very easy person to be around, never expecting anything and always providing plenty for his interactions.

     Cole treasured his family and friends alike and had many of them. He touched so many lives and lived his life with an easy-going acceptance of all he met. He was known for being nonjudgmental and had quite an eclectic collection of friends, all of whom he would have done anything for. He will be remembered fondly by so many and missed dearly.

     Cole is survived by his parents, Tyke and Louise Arnold; his brother Tyke “Bud” and (Sara) Arnold and their children, Jon, Trent, GaBee, C.J., Caeden, Kayden and Andria; and his sister, Jillian Arnold and (Quincy Steel) and their children, Cassius, TawziBelle and Asa. Also left to mourn Cole are his grandmothers Karen Arnold and Isabelle McCandless, and a large loving extended family.

     Cole was preceded in death by his grandfathers Tyke Arnold Sr. and William McCandless. For the last twelve years of his life, he was rarely seen without his best friend and loyal dog, Tubbs, whom preceded his death on June 21st of 2022.

     Cole’s favorite past time was simply having as much fun as was allowed and enjoying the company of his many friends. He had a generous and intuitive heart and was always willing to show up and give whatever he could if someone was in need of help. He leaves an emptiness behind him, but it is our hope that he has found peace.