Perhaps it was the way he greeted you with those slightly lifted eyebrows, twinkling eyes and disarming smile that blossomed into a soul-warming laugh. Perhaps it was his continual optimism, the way he leaned forward and listened intently to your every word, or his fascination with your answers to his many questions. Jamie Arnall had the gift of making you feel like you had stepped out of a dark, dreary day into the sunshine.

Optimism defined Jamie’s life and caused people to develop a unique bond with him. “Even when dealing with stressful situations, Jamie was upbeat,” notes Kevin Costello, vice president for finance/treasurer. “I really appreciated his cheerfulness and ‘can do’ attitude.”

At conference functions, Jamie and his twin brother, Jeremy, were usually together causing double takes among those who didn’t know them well. Jeremy, a pastor in Crossville, Tenn., notes that “Are you twins?” was a common question, but one he never tired of hearing. “I will miss being mistaken for my brother,” he says. “I will miss being referred to as ‘the twins.’”

Jamie was a master at expressing appreciation. He made a point of praising those he worked with and redirecting praise for his accomplishments to God. He also had highly creative ways of expressing his love and appreciation for his wife, Erin. To make the ‘perfect’ marriage proposal, he planned every detail and worked until 3 a.m. preparing food and decorations. Their home is filled with photographs of the elaborate surprises he planned involving special meals, trips and activities. Even when a hurricane interrupted one vacation, Jamie’s detailed planning enabled them to enjoy the adventure. Erin observes, “He wasn’t afraid to go ahead and do things. He seized the moment and made the most of every situation. Everything in life was special to him.”

Jamie loved to surround himself with beauty through landscaping their yard, decorating their home, exploring nature and capturing his world on film. He was a true artist with a camera and freely shared his love of photography with those around him.

Jamie was humble in light of his considerable talents. Fred Knopper, former assistant to the president for communication, recalls, “He had a burden to communicate with young people so he created Connect, a video magazine. His concept has even reached acclaim at the North American Division. Some people are focused on doing enough to get by, but not Jamie. He went above and beyond.” On a personal level, Jamie was also a talented pianist with his own performance CD.

“When my son Fred left the conference office to work for It Is Written, it was a natural transition for me to work with Jamie in a father/son relationship,” comments Martin Knopper, interim communication director. “Yet, Jamie was still ‘the boss.’ I can sincerely say that I love Jamie and Erin as if they are my own children.”

Jamie had a passion for sharing Jesus professionally and personally. Phil White, pastor of the Calhoun, Ga., church, recalls Jamie’s plans for increased local involvement. “He was looking for ways that he could share the good news about Jesus on a more local level. As vice chairman of the nominating committee, Jamie wanted to make sure that we were putting people into offices who had a spiritual passion about what they were doing, not just filling a blank. His spiritual leadership was so evident that, to his surprise, he was nominated to serve as an elder.” 

Jamie brought that subdued, steady leadership and spiritual focus to all aspects of life. Rebecca Baerg, communication intern, shares, “Jamie felt he was doing God’s work and instilled that in my mind, too.” Fred Knopper adds, “Jamie did not live a complicated life. He lived with simple trust and faith in God and strong commitment. His honesty, trustworthiness and diligence extended beyond work.”

For those who loved Jamie Arnall, the knowledge that we will once again see his smiling face inspires us to continually turn to the source of Jamie’s sunshine—the Son.