Arnie Joe Sowden was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on May 20, 1934, and passed away in Spring, Texas on July 20, 2024.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Esther Sowden and his siblings, Benjamin Sowden, Anita Smith and Leliah Lowery and their spouses.

Arnie is survived by his wife of 70 years, Margaret Sowden; his children, Michael Sowden and wife Janey, Mark Sowden and wife Dena, Karen Miller and husband Jim, and Carla Sowden Landrum; grandchildren, Michael G. Sowden, Amanda Rios and husband Daniel, Mark R. Sowden and wife Dorothy, Elizabeth Laletas and husband Matthew, Cody Sowden and wife Sabrina, Kyle Williams, Alex Williams, Emily Miller, and James P. Miller and wife Jessica, Jonathan Preston, Hannah Preston; and many great-grandchildren.

Arnie was born and raised in Hattiesburg, Mississippi where he met his beloved Margaret at Hattiesburg High.  He enlisted in the Army on October 10, 1953 where he was stationed at Ft. Benning, Georgia during the Korean conflict.  He loved to tell the story that he did not see combat because of his excellent typing skills! While he was stationed at Fort Benning, Margaret was busy graduating early from high school so that they could be married on June 19, 1954. Arnie was an Army Sergeant First Class E-6 and received the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.  He was very proud to have served his country for 3 years active duty and 5 years as a reserve.

After being discharged from the Army, he moved back to Hattiesburg and enrolled in Mississippi Southern College where he pursued a degree in accounting and worked full time at the meat market to support his growing family. Both Mike and Mark were born during this time in Hattiesburg.

Arnie began working for Humble Oil, later Exxon, on April 1, 1960 and the family lived in Sharpstown, Texas until August of 1961 when he was transferred to New Orleans, Louisiana.  Karen and Carla were born in Metairie and soon after Humble Oil transferred him back to Houston where the family moved to 9218 Blankenship in Spring Branch.  It was a wonderful street to raise a family and they stayed there until they moved to Tomball, TX in 2002. While at Exxon, Arnie was tasked as the oil spill accountant for the Valdez. It was a difficult time but also a once in a lifetime experience for him.  He absolutely loved Alaska.  After working exclusively for Exxon for 32 years, Arnie retired in August of 1992.

After settling in Spring Branch, Margaret began working at Jane's Jiffy Knits which was a Bernina Dealership.  They soon bought the store and changed the name to Bernina Sewing Center.  Margaret ran the store, taught sewing classes and sold sewing machines.  Arnie would service the sewing machines after he got home from work in the evenings and on weekends.  Work ethic was always a priority for Arnie.

Both Margaret and Arnie worked hard for Bernina and were awarded many wonderful trips: Switzerland, Austria, Russia, China, England, France, Spain and Hawaii. After selling the business they decided they had seen many foreign countries but not very much of the United States so they bought a travel trailer and traveled the US. They loved RVing and had many adventures.

One of Arnie's greatest pleasures was to go to at the lake house that they shared with Mike and Janey.  He spent many hours on the golf course at Westwood Shores and fished when he wasn't playing golf. His children liked to joke that his few days a week at the lake house was the secret to a happy marriage! However, when recently interviewed about how a couple achieves a 70 year marriage he stated, with a twinkle in his eye, that he learned early in their marriage to say "Yes, dear"!

Arnie was very proud of his family and loved them dearly.  He will be missed terribly by his friends, family and especially his beloved Margaret.  Their love story was evident each time they would see each other after being apart; their faces would light up with delight for each other.

Arnie was a lifelong committed church member, first as a Baptist until marriage at which time he became a confirmed Episcopalian.  We are comforted by the knowledge that he was a believer, and that we will be with him again when we are also called home. Rest well faithful servant until we see you again.