Passing of Jaz Arnold

Ian Wilson · Post by **Ian Wilson** » Mon May 02, 2016 3:05 pm

I just found out that Jaz Arnold passed away this weekend.

I do not have any details. Perhaps others can provide that.

Jaz was one of kindest and gentlest men I have ever known. He had the kind of spirit that left an indelible, positive impression on yours, even from the briefest of contacts.

My heart goes out to his wife, Lisa and their children.

The world is truly a better place for him being in it. The world has lost some of its sparkle now that he has left it.

Good bye, Mr. Arnold, and, thank you.

pls7809 · Post by **pls7809** » Mon May 02, 2016 3:20 pm

Oh man. So sad. My condolences to the family. I only knew him briefly.

mpallamary · Post by **mpallamary** » Mon May 02, 2016 5:29 pm

I will see what I can find out. Jaz was a magnificent individual. I saw him a couple of months ago. That is a great loss.

Steve Martin · Post by **Steve Martin** » Mon May 02, 2016 5:58 pm

Jas (with an "s", short for James) Arnold was certainly one of the good guys.

I was shocked and saddened to learn of his passing by a Facebook post this morning.

I had the pleasure of knowing him and doing business with him for 25 years or so. He had such a positive can do attitude and intellectual curiosity.

I remember showing up early for a CLSA meeting years ago. Jas and I were the only ones there yet, and Jas said he had kind of a rough day at work. I said I had a rough day too, and then Jas told me what had happened to him. The accessible restroom at work was in the back of the building and everybody else used the one in the front of the building. Jas said he was transferring from his chair to the toilet, fell and could not get back up. It was 45 minutes until someone wondered where Jas was and went looking for him. Then Jas asked me about my day. I had to say my day was fine. I could not complain. Jas never let the setbacks affect his outlook on life.

Gary Schenk · Post by **Gary Schenk** » Mon May 02, 2016 8:29 pm

That is sad news. RIP

marois · Post by **marois** » Tue May 03, 2016 8:09 am

Jas was one of the finest person I have ever known, always volunteering and helping out regardless of the obstacles life put in front of him, he was always upbeat and positive. He will always be forever remembered, forever missed, my thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.
Armand

mpallamary · Post by **mpallamary** » Tue May 03, 2016 9:35 am

I received this from John Butcher.

Yes,
It is true, and the family request no calls at this time.
He has had troubles the past couples years and battled temperature control and swallowing lately, Lisa stated he was ready.
He passed peacefully last night, there will be a celebration of life on or about June 4th.
More information will be provided by the family.
Keep them in your prayers!!
John Butcher

mpallamary · Post by **mpallamary** » Tue May 03, 2016 10:25 am

I have had the pleasure of knowing Jas for many years. We worked on a number of matters involving the California Land Surveyors Association. We also worked on some other projects, all for the betterment of the land surveying profession.

Jas was a remarkable person and in my eyes, a hero of immense proportions. Perhaps his greatest attribute was the fact that he always wore a smile and he was perpetually upbeat.

I remember one time we were going to a CLSA board meeting together and we had to switch planes in Fresno. It was one of those propeller jobs, small, cramped and loud. The stairway leading to the seats must have been ten feet high. I rolled up with Jas and he looked at me and laughed, as only he could. He said to me, this ought to be interesting. A few minutes later, 4 guys came up and asked him if he was good to go and he replied, “yes.” The next thing I know they lifted him in the air and carried him up the stairs, nearly tilting him upside down as they lugged him into the plane, strapped to his wheelchair. All the while he smiled and gave me a small wave of his hand. As with everything Jas did in life, he was fearless.

After we got settled in, he readjusted himself and continued smiling. I asked him how he felt and he said “Fine. I can’t wait to see how they get me out of here!”

Jas was an extraordinary Land Surveyor and his love for photogrammetry and the sciences was remarkable. Years ago I was working on a project with him and when we chatted about it, I asked him what he saw and how would he solve the problem and he said “triangles and tins.” You gotta love that!

The last time we saw each other, he went out of his way to come over and say hello and he asked how my family was doing. Although I may have had a number of things to complain about, I did not and could not. I asked the same of him and he replied, “Can’t complain.” My God, what a remarkable man, I thought to myself.

Jas was one man who knew how to live life with dignity and character. Rest in peace old friend. You left a mark on the world.

Jas was a graduate of Fresno State University. He worked for San Diego based Rick Engineering from 1988 until his retirement in 2012. He was a volunteer for the National MS Society, Pacific South Coast Chapter. and he worked on a variety of access issues throughout the community including The Trail for all People.

http://92129magazine.com/2010/11/30/del ... %E2%80%99/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SM6lDmZBDQ

PLS7393 · Post by **PLS7393** » Tue May 03, 2016 1:38 pm

My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Jas was always visible at the conferences with a big smile on his face. The hurdles he made shows that anyone can do anything they want to in the surveying field. I truly will miss chatting with him at the conferences.

Rob_LS · Post by **Rob_LS** » Tue May 03, 2016 1:40 pm

Jas taught for many years in the San Diego CLSA PLS Exam review classes, helping many of us become licensed. He also presented lectures on photogrammetry at the CSU Fresno Geomatics Conference. Dignity, character, integrity, selflessness, humor and humility are some of the words that come to mind when I think of Jas. If you met him, you were given an example of how to be a true professional. If we all emulated Jas, our profession and this organization would be much better off.

He will truly be missed...

RAM · Post by **RAM** » Wed May 04, 2016 8:32 am

Jas started his teaching early, I met Jas when in was the Student Assistant teaching our field labs at Fresno State in the fall of 1981. He was patient and energetic and had a passion which inspired many of the underclassmen to pursue the profession.

He made a difference and when everything is said and done, that is what matters.

Russ

hellsangle · Post by **hellsangle** » Wed May 04, 2016 9:38 am

Sad day.

When I was a Chapter Rep . . . and at CLSA conferences is when I'd see and visit with Jas . . .

Needless, to say, I didn't know Jas as a close friend, but he felt like one. Always with that big-ass smile . . . interested in what you were doing . . . and ideas of how to make our profession better. Jas gave more to our profession from a wheel chair than I could ever dream.

My thoughts 'n prayer for Lisa, family and all that knew Jas. Yes, it's a sad day - but we were the lucky ones to have crossed his path.

And to Lisa: Jas didn't have that pasted-on-smile and loving disposition - without love. (BTW: I loved your laugh when you "dunked" Jas in the pool and Jas' response when he surfaced. Made me smile.)

Love ya, Jas!

Phil Danskin - Sonoma
Past Editor CalSurveyor

walters · Post by **walters** » Wed May 04, 2016 12:05 pm

It is with a sad heart to hear Jas had passed away. He was such a good friend from the beginning when I had the opportunity to meet him and Lisa while attending Cal State Fresno in the the early 1980's. From bicycling around the hills of Fresno, cross county skiing and floating his small sail boat on Millerton Lake. My wife and I did the MS Walk with Jas, Lisa, family and friends on April 23rd, such a great turnout for such a worthy cause. Jas was a gallant soul in his battle with MS for the past 30 years. I am truly thankful for knowing Jas, PLS 6010 and will miss him,
Jas was humble and proud that he recorded the first Record of Survey in the state of Alaska. The Surveying Profession lost a true Ambassador, My prayers are with Lisa and and the family.
John L. Walters PLS 5819

Roger5912 · Post by **Roger5912** » Thu May 05, 2016 8:09 am

I would like to express condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Jas Arnorld on behalf of CLSA. I have read the testimony of those that knew him well and see he was not only an ambassador for the land surveying profession but an example of a true professional dedicated to making a positive impact to all who had the pleasure to meet him. His many contributions to CLSA is greatly appreciated and will serve as an example for future professionals to follow in his footsteps.

With sincere condolences,

Roger Hanlin
CLSA President 2016

TTaylor · Post by **TTaylor** » Thu May 05, 2016 5:20 pm

I have tears in my eyes at this news. RIP, kind sir. You will live on in the many people's lives you have touched.

I will keep those left behind in my thoughts for a long time.

Thank you, Jas, for showing me the grace a human should have.

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