November 20, 1931 - May 15, 2025
Arnold R. Knoll passed peacefully on May 15, 2025 at the age of 93, during cherry season. He fought complications from diabetes and pneumonia.
Arnold was born on November 20, 1931 at home in Lodi, California to Albert and Lydia(Hinsz) Knoll. After he graduated from Lodi High School, he took a few agriculture courses at UC Davis before enlisting in the Airforce at McClellan Air Force Base in Feb 1951. Arnold was a veteran of the Korean War where he served for 2 years. After returning home to Lodi, he married Violet Strobel, they were married for over 72 years. They raised three children, Rollo, Marlow, and Vicki. They built their home from 1966 to 1968 and meticulously grew 35 acres of cherries for 45 years. Arnold and his family worked tirelessly providing TLC to their cherry crop which was sold to customers in the United States and Asia.
Arnold enjoyed sharing the bounties of the family orchard and large garden with everyone. In the 1970’s he got his private pilots license and flew for over 20 years throughout Northern California.
Yearly traveling with his family to British Columbia, Oregon, Washington, the Dakotas, Minnesota, and one of his favorite places Yosemite was always meaningful to Arnold. In later years he and Violet took many cruises and tours to Europe, Australia and New Zealand, as well as traveling to 49 of the 50 states. Fishing, was one of his greatest joys. His favorite places to fish were Fort Bragg for salmon, deep sea fishing in Santa Cruz, and salmon, trout or halibut fishing in Northern California’s many rivers and lakes, Alaska(Gustavus) and British Columbia. He always had a grand time and was in his happy place!
Arnold was a very wise man, always telling his children to follow their dreams, they didn’t need to be farmers, do what you enjoy, “life’s too short.”
After retiring, woodworking became an avid hobby. He lovingly built models of military airplanes, jets, civilian airplanes, bird houses, train cars, toys and wine cork trivets. Along with his initials he embedded a penny into each of his creations with the year of fabrication which he shared with family and friends.
A long time member of Bethel Open Bible Church(Discover), he spent many years as the Sunday school treasurer and attended regularly with his family.
Arnold is survived by his wife Violet, Rollo and his wife Fran, their daughters Brianna and Jenna, Marlow, Vicki O’Connor and her husband Chris, and their sons Riley and Tyler, along with his sister Dolores, brother Harlin(Joann) and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his younger sister LaVonn(Knoll) Goehring. Donations can be made in Arnold’s memory to ; Elim Fellowship 1703 Dalton Road, Lima NY 14485-9516, please include a note “preferred for Roger Clark Grant Fund” or give on-line by clicking here ELim Fellowship Roger-Margaret-Clark. Or to Diabetes Research by clicking on the link here Donate to Diabetes Research.
SERVICE
The Celebration of Arnold’s life will be held at Discover Church in Lodi at 11am on July 19, 2025 at 760 S Ham Ln, Lodi, CA 95242.
Please leave your condolences below.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Knoll family.
