Ned Claiborne Arbuckle obituary
Mr. Ned Claiborne Arbuckle, age 88, died Monday, July 19, 2021, in Murfreesboro. He is preceded in
death by his parents, Ethel and Jasper Arbuckle; sisters Winona and Frances Arbuckle; and brothers
Jasper Jr., William, Haskell, Forrest, Murry and Donald Arbuckle.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ann Jeanette Arbuckle, who he adored; his beloved daughter,
Allison Arbuckle Mazzara; and his treasured grandson, Michael Barrett.
Born in Tracy City, Tennessee, Mr. Arbuckle grew up in the hills of Monteagle Mountain, where he often
camped with the Boy Scouts. After graduating high school, he entered the University of the South in
Sewanee, Tennessee, on a football scholarship.
Mr. Arbuckle left college and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He later transferred to the U.S. Air Force, where
he served his country during the Cuban Missile Crisis in the 1960s.
Once he left military service, he began a career in the aeronautical industry with Lockheed Martin in
Huntsville, Alabama. He also sold real estate in Murfreesboro in the 1970s and later moved to
Clearwater, Florida, where he gained a loved of sailing. Eventually he retired from working in the power
industry and returned to the hills of Murfreesboro.
Mr. Arbuckle was proud of his military service and often shared stories from his experiences. He was
proud of his hitchhiking skills and often crisscrossed the country to the West Coast.
As a Tennessee native, Mr. Arbuckle garnered a die-hard loyalty to the University of Tennessee
Volunteers and rarely missed watching a football game. He loved flying model airplanes, listening to
Jimmy Buffet and spending time with his best buddy, grandson Michael. You could often find the two
sitting in chairs, facing the end of the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport and watching planes take off and
land.
A registered organ donor, Mr. Arbuckle was known as kind and loyal. He was also funny and loved to
joke with others with his witty sense of humor.
A celebration of life is set for 2-4 p.m. Saturday, July 24, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 116 N. Academy
St. in Murfreesboro, where he held membership for over 50 years. The Rev. Kristine Blaess will officiate
a prayer service. A wine and cheese gathering will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to
the St. Paul’s Priests’ Discretionary Fund, which serves those with financial needs. Leave condolences at
www.woodfinchapel.com.
