Arnold “Arnie” Medina

Reverend Arnold (“Arnie”) Medina, proud son of Laura Milian and Manuel Medina, longed to visit a country he had never visited before, an eternal home referenced in his beloved hymn called “Sweet Beulah Land.”  In Beulah Land, “no sad goodbye will there be spoken, for time won’t matter anymore.”  After a brief hospital stay, Arnie got his passport to Beulah Land on November 27, 2024, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. 

Born in Miami, Florida on December 14, 1937, Arnie will be buried 87 years later on that same day, December 14, 2024, at 12:00 noon at Vista Memorial Gardens in Miami Lakes, Florida. All are welcome to attend the burial service. Arnie was preceded in death by his fun-loving brothers, Manuel and Gabriel and his sister-in-law, Pat, and by his sister, Beatrice, whom tried to keep him in line when others could not. He is survived by his sweet sister, Guadalupe Simons and her husband, Jack, and his energetic sister-in-law, Millie.

Arnie’s first commitment was to his sovereign God, whom he served devotedly every single day of his adult life. His second extraordinary commitment was to his surviving wife, Elsie Shivers Medina. After meeting in the sixth grade, Arnie and Elsie courted through their teenage years and attended Miami Jackson High School, where they were named the “Friendliest Couple.” They married in Miami, Florida, in 1956. Arnie had Elsie’s name stamped on his arm, and her love stamped on his heart for sixty-eight years. 

Arnie and Elsie gave birth to and raised four children, Steve, Lisa, Tim and Leanne, whom all inherited Arnie’s kindness. Arnie twice worked for lengthy periods with Eastern Airlines, joyfully separated by his call to be a full-time pastor. He received his B.A. in Religion and History from Mississippi College after graduating from the Florida Baptist Bible Institute. He entered the ministry and was ordained in 1963, serving southern Baptist churches throughout Mississippi and Florida.

Arnie continued to serve the public, especially those people with troubles, as a Probation Officer in Leon County, Florida. One of his probationers recently said that Arnie had the “biggest positive impact” on his life, helping him find his way to freedom. For his family, his churches, and his community, Arnie cared deeply, worked tirelessly, and loved earnestly.

In good and not-so-good seasons, Arnie was faithful in cheering for his Miami Dolphins. His first words out of a recent Sunday afternoon surgery were: “How did the Dolphins do?” If not watching the NFL, he would be enjoying old classic movies with Elsie. He raised his kids to always honor the Dolphins, to remember the game of jai-alai, to appreciate mangos, and to pray.

Arnie “Grandpa” Medina found utmost pride in his grandchildren: Linsey Pyles, Kory Pyles, Nicole Medina, Simon Medina, Eva Medina, Samuel Medina, and Chi Medina. If he was in the same town, he was there for their births (wearing his lucky yellow shirt), their games, their performances, and their baptisms. He so delighted in them that the very sight of them could make him cry. 

Those left to mourn his passing will cry as well, but we know for certain that Arnie Medina believed sweet Beulah Land was in sight. May he rest in peace – the kind of peace that surpasses understanding – the kind of peace that Arnold Medina passed on to all who crossed his path.