James Neil Arnold

James Neil Arnold, 70, of Fulton, N.Y., died April 15, 2013 in Oswego, N.Y., following complications from multiple strokes.

Jim was born on April 7, 1943 to Liberty and Irene (Wilcox) Arnold in West Point, N.Y. He graduated from Fulton High School in 1960. As a “country kid,” Jim’s chances of attending college were limited, but with grit and perseverance he attended SUNY Morrisville and later transferred to Cornell University.

After graduating Cornell, he worked briefly at Kodak then drove to Alaska in 1968. He found work at a children’s center, which sparked his lifelong interest in social work. Jim met his wife in Alaska, married and then earned his master’s degree in social work at the University of Nebraska. After returning to Alaska, he worked for 14 years in mental health centers in Anchorage and Wasilla.

In 1984, he and his family returned to Fulton, where he was employed by the County Mental Health Center, the County Correctional Facility, and Farnham Inc. In 2008, he retired from the mental health unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Syracuse, capping a 36-year career in the field of family counseling as a psychiatric social worker.

Jim was a devoted husband and father. He deeply loved and relied on Mary, his wife of 43 years. His two daughters, Autumn and Prairie were amazing to him and the greatest source of joy and pride. Jim was close to his large extended family, and he truly appreciated the gifts of love, support and laughter they provided. Although he appeared quiet and unassuming, he was a man of integrity, compassion and deep insight who made a difference in many lives. In both his work and his family life, Jim was also known for his sense of humor, his gentle sarcasm and his ability to laugh at himself.

Jim was pre-deceased by his parents and infant daughter, Meadow.

He is survived by his wife the former Mary Levan; daughters, Autumn (John Kelley) Arnold of Madison, Wisc., and Prairie (Jeffrey) Wessel of Baldwinsville, N.Y.; brothers, Jack (Virginia) Arnold of Fulton and Duane (Roxanne) Arnold of Fulton; sister, Christine (Dale) Dix of Fulton; aunt, Nancy (Wilcox) Hawthorne of Fulton; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

To support Jim’s love of the outdoors, the Arnold family would request that donations be made to Friends of Great Bear c/o Fulton Family, YMCA, 715 W. Broadway, Fulton, NY 13069.