Terry Arnold

Terry "Turtle" Randall Arnold, age 59, passed away on October 3, 2022.   Terry was born in Atkinson County on April 3, 1963 to the late Willie Arnold and Williene Davis Arnold, of Pearson, GA.  Terry completed high school and received his Law enforcement training/certification at the South Georgia Police Academy.  He began his 35 year law enforcement career with the Adel Police Department and then served with Remerton Police Department, Cook County Sheriff’s Office.   He also served as security for many events in the community, including festivals, special events, weddings, etc.  At the time of his death, Terry was serving as a Captain with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office and as Director of the School Resource Officer Program. Depending on when and how you knew Terry, he had nicknames that applied: Turtle, Big T and T-Bone were most used. Terry was an active Mason and a Shriner.

Terry was a huge CHS Hornet supporter and he loved to watch the Hornets, the Georgia Bulldogs, and the Atlanta Braves. Turtle was widely known for his expertise in cooking, smoking, and grilling all kinds of meat and other foods. Cooking/grilling for BBQ Cook -Off (winning the People’s choice award); smoking thousands of turkeys for Thanksgiving; catered many community events, charitable fund-raisers, school events and others as requested.   He truly loved to cook for others and have them enjoy the food he had prepared. He genuinely ‘loved’ to be around people and was a friend to all.

Survivors include his children, Audra (Billy) Turbeville of Athens, Chris Arnold (Candace) of Adel, Rebecca Arnold of Adel, Rachael Arnold of Adel, and Rayna Arnold of Kennesaw; grandchildren are Bethany McCrea, Jackson Boone, Elijah Johnson, Kaia Arnold, Krisley Arnold, Kayden Arnold, Kamden Arnold, William Arnold, Emmett Hale, Dustinn Otis Perry; siblings include, Willie Mae Barlow, of Pearson, Brenda Starr, of Pearson, Stormy Arnold, of Pearson, Jerry Wayne Arnold, of Lakeland; many nieces and nephews; Terry's longtime companion, Suzanne Bennett of Adel; her children, Emily & Ty Moore and Tanner & Kali Bennett; and her grandchildren, Cayson, Reid, and Charlotte.    

Pallbearers will be Frank Swanson, Kyle Starr, Kevin Arnold, Jeff Lane, Chad Bush, Chris Powell, Colin Millison, and Ron George.   Serving as Honorary pallbearers will be Cook County Board of Commissioners, Board of Education, law enforcement personnel from Cook County Sherriff’s Office, Adel Police Department, Sparks Police Department, Lenox Police Department, Cecil Police Department, and Georgia State Patrol and other law enforcement attendees.   

Funeral services will be held Monday, October 10, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cook High School Stadium. Interment will follow at Greggs Baptist Church. The family will be receiving friends Sunday, October 9, 2022 at the Carolyn Harris Performing Arts Center beginning at 3:00 p.m.  Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to Terry Arnold Memorial Scholarship at Cook Educational Foundation, 37 Josey Rd., Adel, GA 31620.

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