Final Salute

Arnold Christian Grapel of Inverness, Florida, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 16, 2024. Arnold was born in Delmar, Maryland, on July 25, 1927, to A. Christian and Alice Hern Grapel. He grew up in New Jersey until his family moved to Miami, Florida, when he was 15. There he graduated from Miami Tech High. He also attended the University of Miami. He served in the U.S. Navy as a Seabee for 3 years and then returned to Miami where he worked for Southern Bell for 30 years before retiring. He enjoyed raising mangoes, bees, and orchids at his home in Homestead, Florida and doing lapidary work and faceting.

Arnold was preceded in death by the love of his life, Suzanne McCrary Grapel, to whom he was married 52 years. Suzanne was a beloved elementary art teacher and a very talented artist whose paintings graced their home. After Suzanne retired they moved to Inverness where they were active in Fort Cooper Baptist Church and then New Testament Baptist Church of Floral City.

Following Suzanne’s death Arnold particularly appreciated the excellent care and friendship provided by Rosemarie Works since June 2020. More recently he has also appreciated the additional care provided by Annette Chuprinski. The family greatly appreciates all Rose and Annette did to allow Arnold to continue to live independently.

For many years Arnold was an avid bicyclist and enjoyed riding the Withlacoochee Trail in Inverness and bicycle events all over the Southeast. He will be missed by many friends, neighbors and family members.

A Celebration of Life Service for Arnold will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 12:30 PM from the Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home in Inverness, with Pastor Ledford Hodges of the New Testament Baptist Church in Floral City, officiating. Entombment will follow at Fero Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Beverly Hill, FL. Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from 11:30 AM until service time.

Published by Citrus County Chronicle on Jan. 18, 2024.