Arnold Lee House

Arnold Lee House, 91, of La Plata, Maryland, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Arnold was born on December 5, 1934, to Howard T. and T. Pearl House of Webster Springs, West Virginia. A proud West Virginian at heart, he carried his love for his home state with him throughout his life.

Arnold attended Webster Springs High School. After graduating, he worked in the coal mines and for the local water company. In 1957, Arnold enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country from November 1957 through November 1959. Following his military service, he returned to work for the water company until July 1961, when he moved to Indian Head, Maryland.

Arnold began working at the U.S. Naval base in Indian Head, where he loaded rocket motors and later worked as a parts driver. He also worked part-time at Safeway. When the contract on the base ended, Arnold joined Safeway full-time, beginning a long and dedicated career with the company. Over the years, he held many positions, including produce manager, assistant store manager, and store manager. After 33 years of service, Arnold retired from Safeway, leaving behind not only a career he could be proud of, but many friendships and memories.

Arnold was married to Judith Ruth (Miller) House for more than 50 years. Together, they raised their two daughters, Sonja Lee and Natalie Ruth. Arnold was a proud father who cherished his family and treasured the time they spent together. His family was one of the greatest sources of joy in his life.

Arnold had a love for the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and making his many trips back to West Virginia. He especially enjoyed returning to the places that held so many memories and spending time with friends and family there.

Arnold had a lifelong sense of adventure and a genuine love for aviation. He earned his private pilot’s license and found great joy in taking to the skies in his own plane. Flying gave him a sense of freedom and excitement, and it was a passion he cherished throughout his life.

Another great passion in Arnold’s life was pool. He was an avid and exceptionally skilled player who was always working to refine his game. He took great pride in serving as captain of his pool team for many years. The game became much more than a pastime for Arnold—it brought him friendship, laughter, fellowship, and a community of people who became like family. Throughout his life, Arnold made many amazing lifelong friends, and those friendships meant a great deal to him.

Arnold was a man who valued hard work, family, friendship, and the simple pleasures of life. He leaves behind a lifetime of memories and a legacy of love that will continue through his family and all those whose lives he touched.

Arnold was predeceased by his beloved wife, Judith Ruth House; his parents, Howard T. and T. Pearl House; his sisters, Betty Jean House and Ella Dean Ellis; his brothers, Otis Charles House, E. Paul House, and Dwayne House; and his grandson, Daniel Roy Twombly.

He is survived by his daughters, Sonja Lee Twombly (Wendell Twombly) and Natalie Ruth Simpson (Andrew Simpson); his grandchildren, Gina Lee Bohl, Michael Brandon Keys II, Jeffrey Arnold Keys, and Brian Mitchell Keys; eight great-grandchildren; and many dear friends and extended family members who loved him dearly.

Arnold will be remembered for his strong spirit, his good humor, his dedication to his family, his competitive nature at the pool table, and the friendships he built throughout his life. While he will be deeply missed, the memories he created and the love he gave will remain with those who knew him.

A celebration of Arnold’s life will be held at 12 noon, Monday, September 28, 2026, at Arehart-Echols Funeral Home, 211 St. Mary’s Ave., La Plata, MD 20646. The family will receive friends from 10 am until service time at 12 noon.

Burial will be private at the Miller Family Cemetery, Webster Springs, WV.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to fund perpetual care of the Miller Family Cemetery in Arnold’s memory. Checks can be made payable to Natalie Simpson and sent to 10225 Ford Terrace White Plains, Md 20695.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.doddreedfh.com.