Donald L. Arnold, 74, Rapid City and formerly of Las Vegas, died Wednesday, June 13, 2007, at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center.

Following his wishes, his body was cremated. Graveside rites will be held Monday, June 18, 2007, at 9:30 a.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. Military honors will be provided by the Sturgis Veteran's Honor Guard. Family and friends may gather at Kinkade Funeral Chapel to follow the procession to the cemetery.

Don was born July 22, 1932, in Kane, PA, to Howard and Marie (Lamper) Arnold. He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1949 and served as a Crash/Fire/Rescue Helicopter Specialist. He served in Germany, Korea, Japan and numerous stateside bases including Alaska and Hawaii. He retired as the Fire Chief at Yakota AFB and continued in the Federal Fire Service with 20 more years with the rank of Chief/Asst. Chief. Don had received many service awards. Don married Rayetta Marse. Don had many friends around the world. After being informed of his cancer, his friends in Las Vegas recalled that Don often said, "I have done a lot of gambling in my life, but I have really gone in the hole on this one."

He is survived by daughters, Sandra Kay Thornburg, Rapid City, Deb Tireman, Rapid City, and Donna Ray Devuyst, Apple Valley, MN; one grandson, Bryan Thornburg, Rapid City; son, Jeffery Raymond White, Pottsboro, TX; one sister, Judy (Dave) Swanson; and one brother, Gary (Ruth) Arnold.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Larry.