Clayton James Arnal

Fort Worth ~ Clayton James Arnal, 41, went to be with our Lord Thursday, October 28, 2021, in Grapevine after a valiant battle with cancer.

His funeral is on Wednesday November 3, 2021 at 10:30 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Decatur, Texas with a private burial at Oaklawn Cemetery.

Clayton was born on April 28, 1980, to James Michael and Roxanne June Miller Arnal in Simi Valley, California. He grew up in California and Texas and graduated from Decatur High School in 1998. Clayton was naturally athletic and played many sports. He was honored as an all-district running back and went to regionals in track and field.

After high school, he proudly served in the US Navy for four years. Clayton received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Architecture from University of Texas at Arlington. He was very loyal and worked more than 15 years for Arrive Architecture Group in Bedford. During Clayton's extended illness they gave him all the flexibility he needed. His family is forever grateful for their support.

He met the love of his life, Chelsey Dane, in high school. She and their two sons, Gabriel and Connor, were the most important things in his life. He loved coaching his son's soccer team and dreamed of them playing in the World Cup. He was active in his church and loved serving with the youth. He loved working with leather and wood. The trophies he made for the pinewood derby were completely over the top. Clayton gave 110% to everything he did. One of his favorite projects was restoring a '55 Chevy with his dad and brother. Clayton was a diehard Minnesota Vikings fan. He would attend their training camps and games as often as he could. His other hobbies included family history and learning all he could about history, especially WWII. He was a beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend. He was preceded in death by his sister, Crystal Brown.

Those left behind to cherish his memory are his wife, Chelsey Arnal, and sons, Gabriel and Connor Arnal of Fort Worth; mother, Roxanne Arnal of Decatur; father, Jim Arnal Sr. and wife Paige of Smyrna, Tennessee; brothers, James Arnal Jr. and wife Courtney of Pensacola, Florida, and Josh Arnal and wife Cassandra of Lewisville; stepbrother, Nathan Yarroll of Nashville, Tennessee; brother-in-law, Jeff Brown of Gordonsville, Tennessee; 10 nephews, a niece, and a host of friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to honor Clayton through a charity of your choosing or to a trust fund for Clayton’s sons, Gabriel and Connor. Donations for the trust can be made at https://everloved.com/life-of/clayton-arnal