Obituary of Arnold William Lett

Arnold William Lett was born on February 9, 1927 in Mecosta, Michigan.  He was the oldest child of seven born to Arnold David Lett and Blenda Eureka (Sleet) Lett.  

Arnold graduated from Mecosta High School in 1945 where he excelled as an exceptional athlete in basketball and baseball.  He played trumpet in the school band and in a band with friends at school dances. He was in the Boy Scouts and earned the Eagle Scout designation.  Throughout his life he was an avid sports fan of baseball, football and basketball. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Upon graduation, he worked at La Paco Chemical Company in Lansing, Michigan until he enlisted in the United States Navy on September 5, 1945 and was honorably discharged on July 26,1946 from the U.S. Naval Center, Great Lakes, Illinois. While in the Navy he served as a Seaman Second Class at ABRB Fort Huenene, California.  He received three medals; Victory Medal, American Area Campaign Medal and Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal.  During his time in the Navy he was stationed at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii where he worked at the University of Hawaii performing general office work, interviews and handling assignments. Upon his discharge from the Navy he was in the reserve from 1946-1950.  In addition, he worked at H.J. Heinz Company in Big Rapids, Michigan from 1947-1950.  He answered the call of duty and went into the United States Army (active duty) on November 2, 1950 and was honorably discharged on October 31,1952.  Once in the Army he quickly accelerated to Corporal then Sergeant within six months.  While in the Army he served in World War II and the Korean War.  He was stationed in Fort Campbell Kentucky, Germany and the South Pacific.  

Arnold stayed active as a member of the VFW Albert Schiffer Post 2335 in Mecosta, Michigan.  Often times he played taps for the Memorial Day celebrations and military funerals.

He was employed by the CPC General Motors plant in Wyoming, Michigan for 39.8 years as an inspector retiring in 1992.  He enjoyed his 28 years of retirement from General Motors and spent the first few years building his cottage near Mecosta. 

In 1954 he met the love of his life, Dorothy Lee Cummings.  They were married in Grand Rapids, Michigan on July 2, 1955.  They were blessed with three daughters, Debra, Kathleen and Lorine. He enjoyed spending time with his family.  He was a generous, kind, caring, dedicated and loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grand father. Those who knew Arnold could usually find him watching his favorite New York Yankees team or the New England Patriots team.  He was very quick witted and had an answer for anyone who cared to spar with him.  His memory was impeccable right up to the end.

Arnold William Lett, a loving husband, father, grandfather departed his life on October 31, 2020.  He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Dorothy, three daughters, Debra (Edward) Green, and Kathleen (Kelly Welling) Lett and Lorine Lett.  Two grandsons, Breck (April Hales) Green and Kelly Green.  Eight great-grandchildren, Isaiah, Kiana, Brendan, Knesha, Merissa, Keagan, Bailey and Jaelyn.  Two sisters, Margie Skalitzky and Ada Todd.  And many special nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.