In Remembrance

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Judge Jerome 'Jerry' G. Arnold

May 13, 1941 - June 6, 2019

Service Date June 11, 2019

Funeral Service will be held 1:00 PM, Tuesday, June 11, 2019, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1108 E 8th St., Duluth, MN. Visitation will begin at 12:00 PM, Rev. Jerome Evavold officiating. Reception will follow at the Kitchi Gammi Club, 831 E. Superior St., Duluth, MN.

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Judge Jerome ‘Jerry’ G. Arnold, 78, of Duluth, passed away comfortably at his beloved Schultz Lake home Thursday morning, June 6, 2019. He was born May 13, 1941, to Edward and Anastasia (Thielen) Arnold in Paynesville, Minnesota.

Jerry grew up on a farm with nine siblings and was no stranger to hard work. He was the first of his family to graduate from college and mentored other family members along the way. He paid his way through school, earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota and a law degree from the University of North Dakota before beginning his career in Duluth as Assistant City Attorney in 1968. Jerry married the talented musician Judith Lindor on December 18, 1971, and together they raised five children.

Judge Arnold was the former U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota. Appointed by President Ronald Reagan, he served Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush from 1986 through 1991. His tenure included several high-profile cases, including playing a leading role in the U.S. Justice Department’s crackdown on Savings and Loan Fraud in the late ‘80s. As U.S. Attorney, Jerry was also afforded unique opportunities, including welcoming the USSR’s President Mikhail Gorbachev and the head of the Soviet KGB to Minnesota in 1990.

Highly respected in the Minnesota political scene, Judge Arnold ran for the US House of Representatives in 1974, losing to Jim Oberstar in Minnesota’s 8th congressional district. Jerry played a prominent role in many local (greater Duluth area) and state-wide winning Republican campaigns in the ‘70s and early ‘80s. His role allowed him to meet four U.S. presidents including Presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan and H.W. Bush.

Judge Arnold worked right up until the end as he wanted, spending the last 25 years in Duluth working as a Workers’ Compensation Judge for the State of Minnesota. Known for his strong legal mind, sound judicial opinions and fairness, Judge Arnold was well-respected by all stakeholders in the workers’ compensation legal community.

Jerry was a dedicated public servant in all aspects of his labors. A strong man who was firm but fair, he had a discerning eye for justice, and a great sense of humor. Family was Jerry’s first love followed by hunting and fishing, home landscaping, and the arts of politics and practicing law. He coached his sons’ Little League and Babe Ruth teams for 10 years, including the North Star Babe Ruth World Series teams of 1988 and 1990 while serving as U.S. Attorney.

He is preceded in death by his parents and sister Jeanette.

Jerome is survived by: loving wife of 47 years, Judy; children Thomas (Renee) Arnold, Mark (Megha) Arnold, John (Julia) Arnold, Jason Arnold, Maria (Edward) Karpiel; seven grandchildren, Ainsley, Ashley, Allison, Maya, John Jr., Elizabeth, William and William’s soon-to-be little brother in August; two brothers and six sisters; extended family and friends.

Funeral Service will be held 1:00 PM, Tuesday, June 11, 2019, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1108 E 8th St., Duluth, MN. Visitation will begin at 12:00 PM, Rev. Jerome Evavold officiating. Reception will follow at the Kitchi Gammi Club, 831 E. Superior St., Duluth, MN.