Terry Grantham Arnold
Terry Grantham Arnold passed away peacefully after illness on July 17, 2025, at home in Montevallo, Alabama.
Terry Arnold was born in 1938 in Montgomery, Alabama, the youngest of three boys. He was a devoted husband to Sarah Eleanor (Moseley) Arnold for 64 years. He earned a Bachelor of Civil Engineering (1960) and Master of Science in Civil Engineering (1962) from Auburn University and was registered as a Professional Engineer.
Terry Arnold served in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1956 to 1962. He worked for Alabama Power Company from 1967 until the late 1970s, when he retired to design and build solar-heated homes in Montevallo, Alabama. He volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, served on the City of Montevallo Water and Sewer Board, and worked on projects to improve parks and trails in the community. For years, he was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Montevallo.
Terry Arnold had a generous heart and an adventurous spirit. He and Sarah were successful gardeners and shared their garden with friends for years. A lifelong long-distance runner, he also enjoyed walking Montevallo trails with friends. He shared sailing adventures with friends and family, including trips to Dry Tortugas, the Abacos, and along the Intracoastal Waterway. He read widely, and found joy in music — singing, playing the harmonica, and especially listening to Sarah play the piano. He had a love of nature that gave him great optimism and abiding hope for the future, perhaps expressed best by Henry David Thoreau, one of his favorite authors: “I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.”
Terry is survived by his beloved wife, Sarah, and their three children – Ellen Arnold (Peter Saltzstein), Laura Molz (Fred Molz IV), and Joe Arnold (Gaby Wolodarski) – along with four grandchildren – Brooks Molz, Tiel Molz, Aaron Saltzstein, and Tova Mae Arnold. He was preceded in death by a son, Frank Grantham Arnold, by his brothers Frank Aubrey Arnold, Jr., and Curtis Gene Arnold, and by his parents, Emma Eldessa Grantham Arnold and Frank Aubrey Arnold, Sr.
The family wishes to thank the caregivers who have helped Terry through the last months, including Addie, Annette, Bonnie, Brenda, Julie, Rita, and Teresa, and the folks with Compassus Hospice.
A drop-in with family will be held on Tuesday, Jul. 22, from 3-5 PM at Laura and Fred Molz’s home in Montevallo. Ashes will be interred in Ozark, Alabama. A memorial service and tree planting are planned for later this year. Instead of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Shoal Creek Park Foundation (shoalcreekparkfoundation.com).
Love and peace to you all.
Sarah, our deepest sympathies. We remember Terry as a quiet, gentle man with a sweet smile. May your 64 years of love and devotion with Terry bring you sweet memories and give you solace. Ginger and Wayne Seelbach
Ellen, I am keeping you and all of your family in my thoughts during this difficult time.
Goodness. This is hard. Terry and Sarah and family are the best neighbors a mischievous, awkward, shy and sometimes lost, little girl could ask for. I have so much respect and memories for their quiet voices, their kindness, their patience. You will be missed Mr. Arnold. You and Sarah are a blessing and strong influence in my early life. Bless you. Laurie
Terry was a classy, engaged gentleman. He and I did some road running together many years ago. He was a dedicated volunteer and served others. He will be missed.
I met Terry in the 1990s and we build three houses three houses for Habitat. We had so much fun fun together and Terry was very knowledgeable about construction.
Mrs. Arnold, I’m so very sorry to hear about Mr. Arnold’s death. As a friend of Ellen’s, I admired both of you so much and always felt welcomed. I know he will be missed by so many. I am sending prayers for comfort for you and all of your family.