Russell Welch Arnold

Russell Arnold was born to Winfred Arnold and Beth Arnold 90 years ago. He has finished his time here on earth and went to be with the Lord October 18, 2021. Growing up on a small farm in upstate New York, he had learned many skills that he later used in life. He married Freda Harrington after a long high school courtship in June 1951. He graduated from Edmeston Central School and because he felt the Lord was calling him to be a missionary, he attended and graduated from Practical Bible Training School. He took a missionary medical course in Canada for a year and then the family with 3 children was on their way to Alaska. In Alaska, they spent the fall and winter in the tiny native settlement of Kokrines and moved on to Ruby the following May. By then, one more child was born and later, another. They spent 10 years in the village of Ruby, and carried the memories of that the rest of their lives. It was while cutting wood that Russ was thinking about the kids of the village. "What they need is a Bible camp to go to", he thought. Seemed like the Lord said, "You do it". And so, Kokrine Hills Bible Camp, many miles up river, came into existence. After constructing a building of logs the first year, more developments came each year. More and more young people of the area look back on the lessons learned, the week of just plain fun they had, and the difference it made in their lives as they trusted Christ as Savior. The camp is still active today. The family moved to Nenana so the kids could experience high school from home. After six years, they moved to Palmer where Russ became director of Arctic Bible Institute. Other duties took place including 6 years in Canada with the mission. Russ leave his wife of 70 years, Freda, five children, Darris, Sondra, Barry, Lynda, and Brenda. Eighteen grandchildren joined the family and 43 great grandchildren (at this time) The memorial service will be held on Friday, Oct. 22 at 2 p.m. at Lazy Mountain Bible Church in Palmer.