of Little Rock, AR

January 29, 1958 - September 4, 2025

Arnold Ray Merrell was born on January 29,1958 in Searcy, Arkansas to Patsy (Glaze) and the late Vernon Ray Merrell. He passed away suddenly at the age of 67 on September 4, 2025, in Little Rock AR. Arnold grew up in Bald Knob, Arkansas where he excelled in academics and athletics. He set strength and speed records in high school that stood for two decades.

Arnold's work ethic was legendary. He began working at the age of 13 and by age 15 worked in the pipeline industry around the country, including the Trans Alaskan pipeline during school breaks. He was ecstatic when he saved his first $100 in a cigar box, and he loved telling the story of flying to Vegas at 15 with his yellow leisure suit and platform shoes on the way to a pipeline job.

Arnold saved for his college education, graduated from Harding University with an accounting degree and began his career in public accounting. He was always an entrepreneur at heart and not really loving public accounting. He landed his first security job from a friend and founded Capitol City Patrol in 1985 which provided uniformed armed and unarmed security officers and patrol services to businesses around the state of Arkansas. Arnold helped write the original concealed weapon carry training manual for the state of Arkansas in the 1990s and he trained thousands of Arkansans to be able to obtain their concealed weapon permits. Arnold sold Capitol City Patrol in 2000, which gave Arnold his next entrepreneurial opportunity. He and Lenore began investing in real estate. He started fixing up and flipping single family homes which led to rentals, owner-financing and new construction of single-family homes. During his real estate endeavors, he and Lenore also did accounting and tax services under Merrell & Company PA. He was commonly known as the ''tax guy''.

Arnold's hobbies were traveling, preferably on a beach; researching and finding a financial investment for the day, and figuring out the next family meal to make to enjoy with his kids, family and friends.
Arnold is survived by his wife Lenore (Wilson) of 25 years and their children Gwyneviere and William Merrell all of Little Rock AR; his daughter Kate (Brad) Vaughn and granddaughter Ivy Vaughn of Little Rock, AR ; mother, Patsy Merrell of Bald Knob, AR; brother Spencer (Frances) Merrell of Hot Springs AR; nephew Drew (McKenzie) Merrell and niece Hannah Merrell of Austin TX.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 am Thursday, September 11, 2025, at St James United Methodist Church, 321 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock AR 72212. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to the Little Rock Compassion Center, St James United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice.

Please share your condolences and memories with Arnold's family.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Chenal Funeral Home
13801 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR  72211
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com