TRAVERSE CITY — Lester Calvin "Les" Arnell Jr., 77, of Traverse City and a former winter resident of Lake Havasu, Ariz., died early Tuesday morning, Nov. 23, 2010, at his home comforted by his wife and children. Born Aug. 24, 1933, in Iron River, he was the son of the late Lester Calvin and Blanche Beatrice (Richards) Arnell. On Feb. 23, 1957, in Detroit, he married the former Marilyn Elizabeth Sahagian, who preceded him in death on Jan. 26, 1983. Les found love again and on Aug. 18, 1984, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Traverse City, he married Barbara Jean Anderson Devantier.He was honorably discharged from the United States Coast Guard after serving from 1952 to 1960. Les served as Traverse City Branch Claims Manager for AAA, retiring in 1995 after a 37-year career with the company. He believed strongly in sharing his time and talents with others through his memberships with the First Congregational Church, Traverse City Elks Club, Optimist Club, National Cherry Festival and the Foundation Board of Northwestern Michigan College. Les was very involved with the National Cherry Festival and during his reign as President was responsible for bringing the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds to Traverse City for the first time. He loved interacting with others at festival time and was a true steward of the community. He will be sorely missed for his outgoing personality coupled with a warm smile.His interests were vast and varied as he enjoyed working in the yard, making maple syrup, hunting, fishing, watching a good game of football, traveling, decoupage, old country and gospel music and his 45 RPM record collection.Les is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Jean Arnell, of Traverse City; supportive children, Leslie Margot Arnell, of Lansing, twins, Paul Robert Arnell, of Chicago, and Amy Elizabeth Arnell, of Anna Marie Island, Fla., Vicki (Brian) Howard, of Ypsilanti, Sue (Craig) Antoine, of Petoskey, and Andrew Devantier of Traverse City; six grandchildren, Caitlin, Susie, Craig, Robert, Matthew and Zecariah; three great-grandchildren; and siblings, Donalda Hammersmith of Milwaukee, Wis., Richard "Sach" (Lisa) Arnell, of Iron River, and Ellen Arnell-Marcell, of Escanaba. Memorial services will be held at the First Congregational Church on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010, at noon, with visitation beginning at 11 a.m. at the church. Cremation has taken place. Burial will take place at the First Congregational Church, Garden of Remembrance. In remembrance of Les, memorial contributions may be directed to the First Congregational Church. Envelopes may be obtained at the time of the service.Kindly share your memories with the family on their online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com . Arrangements were made with the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home of Traverse City.