Leo Finlinson Arnold

Leo Finlinson Arnold, loving husband, father, and grandfather passed away on January 25, 2024.

Leo was born September 4, 1935, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Read Sorensen and Madie Finlinson Arnold. He was a tiny boy weighing just 4 pounds. Leo grew up in Granger, Utah, just off a small country road. Leo spent many summers in Oak City working on his Grandpa Finlinson’s farm. He loved going to Oak City.  

His family raised chickens, where he would work each day after school. He would tend to the chickens and clean the eggs to sell. The money that was earned was always put in the family mission fund. He learned to work hard and had a great work ethic. 

As a young boy he was stricken with Polio and spent several months in the old Salt Lake County Hospital. He often said he was the only one to walk out of the hospital ward he was in. He received many blessings, which strengthened his testimony.   

Leo attended Monroe Elementary and was a graduate from Cyprus High School. He attended and graduated from Salt Lake Area Vocational School. 

Leo was called to serve in the California Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he served faithfully. While he was serving his mission, the Los Angeles Temple was dedicated, and he was able to attend the dedication. He loved missionary work. 

Upon his return home from his mission, he attended Brigham Young University where he met his sweetheart. He married Lue Knudsen in the Mesa Arizona Temple on April 11, 1960. They made their home in Salt Lake City and later moved to Henefer and raised their family. Leo and Lue enjoyed traveling to many places in the world. His favorite trip was to the Holy Land and visiting the Garden of Gethsemane and other places where his Savior Jesus Christ had walked. 

Leo loved to whistle and became very good at it. On the farm you could stop and listen and hear where he was by his whistling. They lived in Henefer for forty-three years. 

Leo worked for Hercules Inc. for 40 years as an Electronic Technician where he worked on the Polaris, the Delta Rocket, and the Pegasus along with other missiles.  

After raising their family, Leo and Lue served a full-time mission together on Kiritimati Island and loved the people they served. Following their mission, they were called to be Guest Service Missionaries at Temple Square where they served for five years. They had many spiritual experiences with the people who came to hear the choir while they were serving there.

Leo loved his wife, family, and his Savior Jesus Christ. He loved to read and study his scriptures and was often referred to as a scriptorian. He served as a faithful home teacher, he served in many different positions and loved teaching the gospel. He also served in the Ogden Temple as an ordinance worker and loved his time there. He often said it is not where you serve in the church, but how you serve. He served with all his heart, might, mind, and strength.

He is survived by his wife, Lue, and their four children: Scott Leo Arnold, West Jordan, Utah; Margie Capell (John), West Jordan, Utah; Bruce Alden Arnold (Tara), Fruit Heights, Utah; and Greg Lew Arnold, Henderson, Nevada; and foster daughter Darlene Lomapewama and her daughter Melanie Holiday. He had 13 grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Nancy Williams, Sandy, Utah; Richard Read Arnold (Deanna) Taylorsville, Utah; Kathleen Riley, Taylorsville, Utah; and Susan Emery (Brent), Pima, Arizona. He is preceded in death by his parents, Read Sorensen Arnold and Maidie Finlinson Arnold; and his two sisters Charlene and Alicia Arnold.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 11:00 am, at the Leeds 2nd Ward building 75 N Main Street, Leeds, Utah, with a viewing prior to the services from 9:00 – 10:30 am. 

Interment will be at the Toquerville Cemetery, 119 North Toquer Blvd. Toquerville, Utah, following the services.

The family would like to thank Southern Utah Home Health and Hospice for their service and compassion as well as the Leeds 2nd Ward Relief Society.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary. 435-673-2454. 

Friends and family are invited to sign Leo’s online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com