James Rocket Arnott

While our thoughts are taken up with saying goodbye to Rocky, let’s also imagine a “hello” with him — what was it like for someone to meet James Rocket Arnott for the first time?

Within moments of meeting Rocky, you became familiar with his particular gravelly twang that — you weren't sure — might be some blend of California, Colorado, and Montana. As the conversation continued, Rocky's sincere questions led you to discover his innate courtesy and deep curiosity about the world. Soon enough you'd learn that Rocky's life mission was helping others. Anyone coming to him for help would find it right away. For others, he only needed enough time to see the best way he could help.

The longer you knew Rocky, the more his wonderful qualities emerged — a patient, gentle man; reliable, calm, determined, a father and mentor to many, a constant worker and provider. His dearest love was family; his greatest joy, bringing people together; and his simple pleasure, ice cream of all kinds and bananas no less green than “Pistachio.”

Rocky worked diligently and with love. Because he loved to provide and maintain a home, he worked earnestly, and lived an example of love for work. Briefly enrolled at Principia College, Rocky graduated with a business degree from University of Denver, then commissioned as an Army officer through Officer Candidate School.

After his Army service, Rocky began a career as entrepreneur and owner of a number of businesses in Colorado. With construction as a through line across his life, his initial craft was masonry, starting from a young age with Jim Arnott Masonry and Construction in Colorado Springs, Colo. Later, resettling in Grand Junction, Colo., he branched into steel buildings and, finally, fabric-covered buildings.

Today, in each of these cities and other areas, enduring structures stand as lasting reminders of Rocky’s and his father Jim’s well-respected work ethic. Rocky worked persistently and thoroughly at everything he took on, and he proved a model of positivity in the face of challenges.

Rocky was an aviator and a skier, and loved to enjoy these pursuits with his children. He always took a keen interest in current events as well as sciences of earth and the skies. He was studious in these topics and in the larger questions of life, which he pursued through the lens of Christian Science. Not only did he study the letter of those teachings, he also worked to live the spirit of them, seeing everyone in their best light and bringing an openness to good into every situation.

Rocky is survived by his children Raina, Julie, Annabel, Jeremiah, Daniel, James, and his nine beloved grandchildren. He was predeceased by both wives, Patricia Casey Arnott and Joy Beth Bormann.

When it is time to say goodbye to someone, we look back at markers that person left on the world, and, knowing Rocky, we know the signs of a successful life he most valued were always the less tangible but more substantial: lessons taught, actions taken, love given. He did well.

In lieu of flowers and in the spirit of Rocky’s love for mankind, consider a donation to World Central Kitchen www.wck.org or, local to Rocky’s residence, Sahuarita Food Bank sahuaritafoodbank.org.