Gene Earl Arnold, Jr., also known as "Shorty", died Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at his home in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was born on September 29, 1961, in Fort Smith to the late Gene Earl Arnold, Sr. and Nancy Carolyn (Shaver) Arnold. He was 64 years old.

Shorty was a graduate of Southside High School in Fort Smith, and along side with his dad, owned and operated Arnold Machine Shop in Fort Smith. After closing the machine shop, Shorty owned and operated River Valley Graphics and retired from Maverick Transportation, Inc. in Fort Smith. He loved hunting, fishing, and being outdoors. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.

A family held memorial graveside service will be at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, January 8th, 2026, at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Charleston.

He is survived by a sister, Kathy Padur and husband Michael of Graham, Washington; several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home and Flower Shop in Charleston.