Mark Arnold:
CLASS OF 1979
Pacific High SchoolClass of 1979
San bernardino, CA
Mark's Story
Life
I have been Married for 15+ years now...no kids, and one cat. I moved to Virginia after serving in the Navy for 5 years.I worked in the ready mixed concrete industry for 13 years, and recently I work part time at a golf course for the free golf. I authored a book in 2005 which is now available at booklocker.com, Amazon, and directly through me.
My wife, Rita grew up here in Northern Virginia, and we met when I bought a condo and she owned a unit below me and to the side. So you can say I married the girl next door!! She keeps me in line.
For those of you that know me, I haven't been under the influence of anything since 1987...that's quite an accomplishment!!I keep in touch with a couple people from the class of 1980, and that is about it.
Was sadly disappointed that the class of 1979 failed to have a 25 year reunion...maybe we will have a 50!!
Well...like I said, so far, so good. Semi-retired when I was 41. Not too shabby for someone who never went to college, and spent 5 years serving his country.
I left the Inland Empire in 1982, and have only been back twice. I wanted to visit after the last round of fires, but couldn't make it.
My hobbies include golf,chess,landsacaping and gardening,home improvement, investing and real estate.
We have had rental property since 1989, and are now down to two condos in the town we live in. We managed to pay them off, as well as our home.
Rita joined me in semi-retirement in 2006. She works 3 days a week at a local Hallmark store! When we "fully" retire, we will undoubtedly stay somewhere close to here for family...and we love the East Coast.
The book I wrote is called Money Matters Plain & $imple. A guide for the average working family to take control of their finances, set goals, and how to strive to achieve them. Too many books on the subject talk above the average people, and confuse them with big terms, graphs, and the treasure that awaits them all...I am realisitic in my approach, knowing that the lower to middle income families can only do so much. My book helps them learn to save money, to put it away, and the disciplined approach necessary to get ahead.
Best wishes fellow PHS Alum!!!!!
Regards, Mark
School
Ok...so I attended PHS less often than I should have...but knowing I wasn't going to college, High school was a fun place to stop by in the morning!!!
I graduated in 1979...lettered in Tennis my Senior year...I worked on the Hi-Tide for four years, having a brief stint as editor...
I moved out of my house 5 days after graduating...So long to many a quaint get togethers!!
I had a 1968 California Special Mustang my junior and senior year. What a cool car that was to have as a teen. Now I drive a '93 Ranger pick-up or our '93 escort wagon, my wife drives a 2006 Corolla, and our fun car is our 2000 mazda miata MX-5. We have only put 30K miles on it since we bou...Expand for more
ght it in October 2000.
My favorite teacher was Bob Havemann...my senior year, he was my journalism teacher, and Tennis coach. Mr Thomson was a close second. I remember some fun times going to the wrestling matches downtown, and going to Shakey's for lunch!
Workplace
After High school, I moved out and worked in Rialto at a fruit juice factory. I saved money, then bought a trailer up at Mammoth and stayed there for two years and worked for the mountain.
I then joined the Navy, and served for 5 years, as a Machinist's mate. I was assigned to the engineroom on board the USS McCloy (FF-1038) It was, at the time, the smallest ship in the Navy that had weapons. The time I was in, I visited 21 countries. Sveral cruises to the North Atlantic and the carribean. I qualified all the way up to Engineering Officer of the Watch (EEOW). EEOW at sea, when he is on watch, is responsible for ALL engineering spaces..Engineroom, Fireroom (Boilers) diesel, all A/C, heating, fuel, and water systems...etc...Not bad, for an enlisted guy!! My Chief Engineer tried to see if any other E-4 had ever qualified that high, and never found anyone.
I finished in Norfolk, VA, and I moved to Northern Virginia where my dad was living. I then worked for 2 years with a firm that provided construction companies leads on projects that were available.
I then left there and was employed in the ready mix concrete industry for 14 years. I went from sales to Quality assurance after the first 6 years. I became a concrete technologist, and I semi-retired at 41.
I currently work part time at a golf course, (2 days a week, 3 in season).
My new venture is being an author. My book is on the market...a link is provided on my profile if you would like to check it out.
Anyone else from Pacific an author? Let me know!!!
Military
I joined the navy in June 1982. Went to boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois. Went to MM A school there, before going to Orlando for Nuke power school, which I never started for personal reasons.
I spent the next four years on the USS McCloy (FF 1038). We were the smallest ship in the Navy with weapons, which meant we could pull into any port...not too much anchoring out and taking "liberty boats". I saw 21 different countries, mainly in the North Atlantic, and the Carribean. I beacame a "bluenose", which meant I crossed the Arctic circle.Yes, that's way up there, and I got to see both 24 hours of day and night on successive cruises!!!
I qualified all the way up to Engineering officer of the Watch (EOOW), as an MM3 (E-4). A qualification usually reserved for officers, and more senior petty officers. I left with an honarable discharge in August 1987. They did everything they could to get me to stay, offering the highest bonuses, and a 3 year stint as a recruiter in Staunton, VA ( a college town!!). I refused, and left Norfolk for Northern Virginia.
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