Arnell Overstreet

Arnell Overstreet, 85, died at home with his family by his side on January 31, 2017 after a long struggle with lung cancer. Arnell was born May 22, 1931 in Jackson, AL to the union of Marvin J. Overstreet and Laura Delia Jackson. His grandparents were William C. Overstreet and Laura E. Beck Overstreet and James "Jim" Jackson and Elizabeth Iona Dortch Jackson. He attended schools in the Jackson area and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1948. Arnell joined the service under a two-year enlistment which was extended to three years because of the outbreak of the Korean Conflict. He was on orders to go to Korea with is unit, but he had less than one year to serve; therefore, due to rules of enlistment, the orders were cancelled. As it happened, his entire unit was annihilated in the Chosin Reservoir in Korea. Arnell always attributed this saving of his life to divine intervention.



Upon returning home in 1951, he found work at Brookley Air Force Base in Mobile in Civil Service. There he rose through the ranks to a supervisory position in Material Handling and Supply and Transportation. He received numerous commendations, and after the closing of the base was announced, he retired from civil service in 1967 as Branch Chief of Material Processing.



Always the enterprising spirit, Arnell began his own business in 1969 in Jackson, AL building truck campers and camper shells under the name Astro Enterprises. From that, he ventured into woodworking and custom cabinetry and acquired the building at 318 Commerce Street in Jackson that was Astro Enterprises for the next 40 years. Under his leadership, this successful company built some of the finest residential wood cabinetry in Southwest Alabama.



Arnell was fascinated with airplane flight. He became a private pilot in 1985 and gained his Instrument Rating in 1989. He was owner of Astro Flying Service, with two planes, and enjoyed many hours in the air. He was a Captain in the Civil Air Patrol and commander of the Twin Rivers Squadron in Jackson. This love also led him into the Radio Control Airplane hobby, and he opened a hobby shop for the model plane enthusiasts in this area and was very active in this hobby until his health began to fail. He loved camping and fishing with his wife and dog, C.J., anywhere on Alabama lakes and rivers, and spent many happy hours on the water.



He gave his life to the lordship of Jesus Christ in 1962 and lived as an example and witness to others of his love for the Lord. He was a member of Jackson First Assembly of God Church. Arnell is predeceased by his parents; his sisters, Ruby Overstreet Murphy and Elouise James Carpenter; and brother, J.B. James; his first wife, and the mother of his children, Vergie Mae Brunson.



He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Janice Merchant Overstreet of Jackson; his children, Deborah Ann Martin of Frisco City, Joseph T. Overstreet of Monroeville, Suzie Murphy of Jackson and Angela (Curtis) Reed of McIntosh; seven grandchildren; Robbie (Melissa) Hicks of Brent, AL, Tiffany (Josh) Goff Smith of Foley, AL, Cody Overstreet of Jackson, Hunter (Chad) O. Goldman of Fairhope, Logan Murphy of Birmingham, Dallas Murphy of Auburn, Makayla Reed of McIntosh; three great-grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren. He also leaves behind his brothers, L.C. (Lula) James of Jackson and John Wallace (Joyce) James of Franklin, TN, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews cousins and extended family.



Funeral services will be conducted at 12 p.m. on Friday, February 3, 2017 at the First Assembly of God Church in Jackson with the Revs. E.C. Russell and Cleon Kyles officiating. Visitation will begin two hours prior to the service. Interment will follow at Peniel Baptist Church with Lathan Funeral Home directing.



Pallbearers will be Robbie Hicks, Logan Murphy, Cody Overstreet, Charles E. Jackson, Ross Overstreet and Rodney Overstreet.



Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Sid Crosby, Michael Jones, Jimmy Outlaw, Rob Beck, Jim Gibbs, Graham Wilson, Jackie Chastain and Donald Jackson.



Condolences may be offered at www.lathanfuneralhomejackson.com.



Memorials may be made in his name to the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation, P.O. Box 871847, Kansas City, MO 64187-1847.



ARRANGEMENTS BY LATHAN FUNERAL HOME IN JACKSON, ALABAMA