5 Minutes of Hope

Arnold Durost and I first met in the early seventies at the Full Gospel Assembly Church in Presque Isle, Maine. I took an instant liking to him for he was truly a man of God and I but a youth in Christ. At some point shortly thereafter, I adopted him as my dad, and he loved me like a son. His quiet spirit and his deep love of God and family schooled me. I dearly love this servant of God.

As I pen this, cancer has invaded just about every part of Arnold’s body. Diagnosed with this dreaded disease almost two years ago, he rests comfortably in his home in Presque Isle. His sweet wife and family are all close by, ministering to his every need.

Arnold Durost was born at his home in Fort Fairfield, Maine on September 13, 1925. He was one of nine children. Sadly, when Arnold was still but a youth, both of his parents passed on. In order to help take care of his family he left school at the age of 16 to find work. Arnold worked at the Paramount movie theater in town which is where he met his bride to be, Muriel Nason. In 1952, he gave his life to Christ and on August 26th of that same year, he and Muriel were wed. They moved to Limestone, Maine where they attended the Limestone Pentecostal Church. There they ministered in song and taught Sunday School. Arnold and his lovely wife had two girls and one boy whom they trained in the ways of God. They later adopted a six-month-old boy and raised dozens of foster children over the years.

In the sixties, Dad began his career at the Loring Air Force Base Commissary and attended Cornell University where he received his Managerial Diploma. He served as Head Cashier until being promoted to Manager of that facility. Arnold received many certificates and awards while employed there and was extremely successful until his retirement in 1987.

The family moved back to Fort Fairfield and attended the United Pentecostal Church where Dad served faithfully as a Deacon. In the early seventies, God was moving in a powerful way among the young people at the Presque Isle Full Gospel Church. Desiring to see his own teenage children experience the revival, he chose to move his membership there. It was my good fortune to attend the same assembly where I had the privilege of meeting this great mentor and friend.

Dad loves the holidays and any occasions that involve family get-togethers.

On June 7, 2013, Arnold Durost said good-bye to Earth and hello to Heaven. He was a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, deacon, Sunday school teacher and friend to many. So long sorrow, hello Savior. Good-bye cancer, sickness, death and pain. Hello eternity! Where he is never to suffer again.