Adrian King Arnold, 86, - affectionately known to many as simply "A" - of Paris Pike, Mt. Sterling, Kentucky passed away Saturday, December 15, 2018 surrounded by family at his son's home in Georgetown, Kentucky.  He was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky on April 27, 1932 the son of the late Edward Clinton and Dorothy King Arnold.  He was a veteran of the US Army where he proudly served his country during the Korean War.  He was a lifelong tobacco and cattle farmer and the recipient of the Outstanding Young Farmer in Kentucky in 1960.  He was a member of the Gateway Christian Church, American Legion Post # 22, Montgomery County Fair Board for 50 years where he had served as past-President, Board member of People's Exchange Bank, Morehead State at Mt. Sterling Advisory Board and of the Gateway Children's Services which is housed in the Adrian Arnold Building due to him being instrumental in procuring the funding to establish the project.  He was an airplane pilot, a avid history buff who loved the Civil War and travelling to battlefields.  He loved jokes and later in life loved his cats.  He was a former Montgomery County Man of the Year.

He also proudly served his community as a state representative in the Kentucky State Legislature for 33 consecutive years.  He served as Chairman of the Elections, Constitutional amendments and Inter-Government Affairs committee while also serving on the Agriculture and Small Business Committee, Rules Committee and Local Government Committee.  He was instrumental in helping write jail reform legislation in the 1980s, served as US Liason to Lithuania in 1994 to help them set up state government and worked on the tobacco buyout legislation.  He was very respected among his peers and was proud of the designation as the only fulltime farmer in the House of Representatives.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Delma Heflin Arnold of Mt. Sterling; three sons, Lanny (Rita) Arnold of Georgetown, KY, Jeffrey King (Polly) Arnold of Lexington, KY and Eric Clinton Arnold of Lexington, KY; a brother, Gayle (Shelia) Arnold of Mt. Sterling; a sister, Gay Vice of Mt. Sterling; six grandchildren, Adrianne Arnold Snyder, Kyle Parman, Erin Eagan, Michael McJessy, Mark McJessy and Alex McJessy; ten great grandchildren and numerous friends also survive.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Audrey Arnold.

Funeral services will be 11 am, Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at the Gateway Christian Church with Revs. Bill Kilgore and Glenn Emery officiating and Hank Hancock, B. D. Wilson and Sandy Romenesko speaking and burial following in the Machpelah Cemetery. Military rites will be performed by American Legion Post # 22.   Friends may visit Tuesday from 4 pm - 8 pm at the Gateway Christian Church.  Pallbearers will be Floyd Arnold, David Vice, Corey Vice, Wes Snyder, Kyle Parman, Alan Eagan, Alex McJessy and Thomas Arnold.  Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Razor, Mike Hendrix, Berkley Mark, Tom McKee, Todd Black, Chuck Vice, Jock Conley, Bert May, B. D. Wilson, Mike Murphy, Hank Hancock, Don Stephens, Leigh Ann Arnold, Cindy Arnold, Donna Gayle Arnold, Trish Black, Michael McJessy, Mark McJessy, Brian Jones, Teddy Jones, Keith Yarber, Danny Linville, American Legion Post # 22, Mt. Sterling Chamber of Commerce and the Wendy's Lunch Club.  In lieu of flowers donations are suggested to the Gateway Children's Services, 37 N. Maysville St., Mt. Sterling, KY 40353, Gateway Christian Church, 801 Winchester Road, Mt. Sterling, KY 40353 or Bluegrass Hospice, 2312 Alexandria Drive, Lexington, KY 40504.  Taul Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.