Arvel M. Catchings Jr. better known as "Sonny" has moved on to a better life with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ but leaves behind a lifetime of memories filled with laughter and happiness. He never met a stranger and was always ready to tell a joke, pull a prank and make someone laugh.

From his cage that contained his wild mongoose, to his famous glass of water on the wall trick, to many more pranks, he was always looking for an edge to scare someone. (He is his mother's child). Sonny knew that laughter was the key to true happiness and the power to remain positive even in the face of adversity.

If asked how he was, he would answer "Fine as Frog Hair". He would tell you that if there was a food that you did not want to try, that you should, it would "Grow Hair on Your Chest". If the food was really good and you placed it on your forehead, he would say," Your tongue would beat your brains out trying to get to it".

Sonny was blessed with the gift of a creative mind and aptitude for building and working with his hands. He was able to visualize in his mind and make the visualization a reality whether working on vintage automobiles and or creating out of wood. He often thought of himself as not being an intelligent person but in all honesty, he was brilliant.

He leaves us a legacy of a love for fishing and pulling in fish, one in a row, two in a row, three in a row…, a legacy of love for football (forever an Oiler's fan), a love for old cars, hot rods and automobile racing. He was also a life-long Ford fanatic. No really, you could not park a Chevy or a Dodge in his driveway and do not even think about looking at a foreign made car.

Although the laughter and the creativity produced by Sonny were very special, and the legacy's were perfect examples of what having a passion should look like. Sonny's greatest gift was his love. Sonny's love for his family and friends was patterned after his Savior Jesus Christ, true and unconditional. For those of us who knew him as a husband, a daddy, a Pa Pa and a friend know that we were blessed to have the opportunity to have this extraordinary man as a part of our lives, he will be dearly missed but never forgotten.

Sonny, 82, was born on May 20, 1936 in Victoria, Texas and passed away on January 7, 2019 in Houston, Texas.

Sonny is preceded in death by his Parents: Arvel M. Catchings, Sr. and Elizabeth B. Catchings and daughter: Shelly Denise Catchings. He is survived by his loving wife: Valeria Catchings; Children: Ann Dougherty, Donald Catchings, Sr and wife Nancy, and step-son Timothy Brandt; Grandchildren: Traci Hendrix and Dennis, Samantha Helton and Marcus, Amberly Reynolds and Blake, Donald Catchings, Jr and Rachel, Dusty Catchings and Judy, Brittany Laird, Aaron Brandy and Madison Brandt; Great-Grandchildren: Brianna Mendoza, Addy Reynolds, Jaxson Reynolds, Traden Hendrix, Bailey Ann Helton, Harper Catchings, Delilah Catchings, Hannah Catchings, Dylan Catchings and Abel Meredith Catchings.

The family will hold a private memorial service at a later date.