Phil Henry Arnold was born September 8, 1948, in Pleasanton, Texas. Phil attended Leming Elementary  School in Leming, TX, where they were members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Las Gallinas, TX. The family moved to Jourdanton, TX, in the summer of 1961 after their father passed away. They were  members of St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Jourdanton.

Before his father passed away, Phil helped his grandfather on the farm: everything from milking cows, slopping the pigs, feeding the livestock and chickens, and digging potatoes. While going to high school he helped the family out by working for his uncle on another farm after school and summers, then giving  the money he earned to his mom to help with the family's living expenses.

Phil graduated from Charlotte High School. He attended San Antonio College for 2 years and then graduated from Southwest Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He began his teaching career at  East Central High School and then at Lanier High School with San Antonio ISD. Teaching was Phil's passion, and the students remember him as the "mad scientist" with the most fascinating classroom pets. He cared for his students, kept them engaged and instilled a love for learning. He also had a very significant impact in the lives of his many nieces and nephews who he helped in many ways. He retired from teaching after 33 years of service.

One of Phil's greatest acts of love was to adopt his children. He provided them a warm home and encouraged them to pursue their dreams of studying and graduating from high school and University.  All things were possible because of Phil's unwavering support and unconditional love. As a grandfather, he was the Best! Always wanting to be active in their lives, he would read to them daily, take them to school every chance he had, and attended many if not all functions: school plays, choir concerts, spelling bees, sporting games, volunteer events and one of his favorites, Science Fair competitions. Win or lose  his grandchildren were always his #1. Grandpa was also spontaneous and fun, taking his grandchildren  and many other loved ones on fishing, hunting, and hiking trips, to amusement parks, bicycling, swimming, Pokémon hunting, and on many family vacations.

Phil left his family with so many fond, happy, and priceless memories, too many to forget. He will always be remembered and loved by all of the many people he helped, loved, and cared for. Phil is survived by his son Andres Arnold and wife Yvette Arnold of San Antonio, TX, daughter Victoria Arnold Hernandez and husband Jesse Hernandez of San Antonio, his grandchildren Andrew Arnold and wife Victoria E. Arnold, Janelle Arnold, Lyla Arnold, and Sergio J. Hernandez.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents Felix W. and Bessie E. (Gaydos) Arnold, his paternal grandparents John and Martha (Rakowitz) Arnold, his maternal grandparents Paul and Molly Amelia (Stavinoha) Gaydos, brothers Melvin Ray (Kathy) Arnold of Charlotte, TX, and Daylon J. (Doris) Arnold of Jourdanton, TX, his sisters Betty Ann Arnold (Blalock) of Jourdanton, TX, and Diane Arnold Dickens of George West, TX.

Phil is survived by his siblings Helen Arnold Trapp of Lawrenceville, GA, Judy Arnold Ham of Three Rivers, TX, Felix W. (Robin) Arnold of Pearsall, TX, Gary J. Arnold of Kyle, TX, and brother-in-law Tony Dickens of  George West, TX.

Pallbearers will be Melvin Arnold, Tracey Dickens, Anthony M. Dickens, Donny Lamprecht, Edward  Amador, Juan Medina. Honorary pallbearers will be Brian Trapp, John Blalock, Shawn Arnold, and  Kristopher Trapp.

In Lieu of Flowers, the family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a  donation in the name of Phil Henry Arnold to Mitchell Lake Audubon Center https://mitchelllake.audubon.org