David Benjamin Arnette

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of David Benjamin Arnette, I of Piedmont, AL, who left us on Friday, February 7, 2025. David was born on March 22, 1948, to Homer Benjamin Arnette and Margaret Hendrix Arnette. Our son, dad, husband, brother, grandfather, father-in-law, and friend was a gentle giant with a huge smile and a hug for everyone he greeted. 

David is survived by his wife of 56 years, Laura Jones Arnette, originally from Lenoir, NC. They loved each other so well for all those years. He is also survived by his sister, Sandy Kirven (John), of Boone, NC, who is a wonderful little sister to her big brother. He adored her. Survivors also include his daughter, Cyndi Rogers (Joe), of Dalton, GA, his son David B. Arnette, II (Courtney), of Birmingham, AL, his grandchildren, Anna Grace Rogers of Athens, GA, Austin Rogers of Atlanta, GA, Taylor Turner (Zach) of Hardwick, MA, Brady Arnette of Birmingham, AL, and Breanna Waldrop of Birmingham, AL.  

He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Homer B. Arnette and Margaret Hendrix Arnette, who were married for 69 years, his devoted grandparents, Raymond Hendrix and Blanche Shore Hendrix, and Thomas Arnette and Grace Arnette.  

David, or Pawpaw, was a kind-hearted, larger than life personality who had a friendly smile or hug for everyone he met! He laughed loud and often and adored his family. He excelled as a student athlete in football in high school, then attended Appalachian State in Boone, NC, where he met the love of his life, Laura. Right out of college, he coached high school football and loved his students and colleagues very much. He was a natural with his students and thrived in that environment. After coaching, he transitioned to building material sales where he made strong connections in the community with his colleagues and many builders in the Tucker, GA area while working for Cofer Bros. The Cofer Bros. team and their customers were like family to him, and he made them feel valued, like they truly mattered, in every interaction with them. He was a loving big brother to his sister, Sandy, and he truly adored his grandchildren! He would speak often about his wife, children, grandchildren, and sister and how much he loved them! He was so thankful for them every day! He whole-heartedly shared in our successes and failures, supporting us and encouraging us to be strong, kind, and loving. We will miss him greatly.  

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 1 PM at Church on the Hill in Dalton, GA, located at 1035 Abutment Road in Dalton, GA 30721 in the worship center. The family will be available 30 minutes before and after the service to greet guests and thank them for their love and kindness during this difficult time. The service will be officiated by Jason Carter. Arrangements are being handled, with much love & care, by Good Shepherd Funeral Home in Rome, GA. David Arnette, Pawpaw, our 'gentle giant of a teddy bear', will be remembered for his huge smile, his big heart, his contagious laughter, and his love for his family.  

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