Carnation manager,
yachtsman Arnott dies

OBITUARIES

By Harold Morse
Star-Bulletin

Thomas M. Arnott, Carnation Milk district manager here for 41 years and a longtime yachtsman, died Saturday. He was 78.

Honolulu-born Arnott, a Kailua resident, was known for conceiving the popular Carnation Baby Contest.

"That baby contest was a very encouraging thing for mothers," recalled Thomas O'Brien, a friend since boyhood. "He was well-liked by all his friends and associates. He did a lot for the community."

Arnott also was a good surfer, O'Brien added, and they crewed together in the Outrigger Canoe Club.

"We were members from the time we were small kids," O'Brien said.

Arnott served two terms as club president. He was recognized for excellence in such undertakings as paddling with Duke Kahanamoku in two-, four- and six-man canoe races, winning over all competition in the early '40s.

Arnott was a crew member on the yacht Kamalii in trans-Pacific yacht races in 1967, 1969 and 1971, as well as in two Acapulco and Mazatlan races. He received the Lipton Cup Trophy as winner in the Star boat class of the Waikiki Yacht Club in 1956.

At the time of his death, Arnott was a member of the board of the Coast Guard Foundation and a past member of the boards of the March of Dimes and the Navy League. He also had an ongoing interest in the study of painting.

Arnott is survived by his wife, Marian, and son, William; three step-grandsons and nieces and nephews.

Services will take place at the Outrigger Canoe Club at 8:30 a.m. Friday. Donations in his memory may be made to a favorite charity or to the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation.