David Arnsdorff Obituary, Death – David Tillman Arnsdorff, 55, of Guyton passed away on Friday, February 28, 2020, at Memorial Health, surrounded by his loved ones. As a husband, brother, uncle, and friend, David gave his everything. He was a farmer, a business entrepreneur, a lover of the outdoors, and a twice cancer survivor. David attended Effingham County High School, where he participated in the trombone-playing Rebel Regiment and the Future Farmers of America. He married Renee Loper, his high school sweetheart and the passion of his life, soon after graduating. At the family farm, Pleasant Acres, where he spent his whole life, they started their relationship.
At age 15, David underwent his first cancer treatment for Hodgkin’s disease, which had long-lasting effects on his health. David conquered colon cancer at the age of 39.
His lovely wife of 36 years, Renee, accompanied him on the entire journey, and the two enjoyed a full life together while overcoming their numerous health problems.
David led a rural lifestyle, pursuing his other interests in farming, gardening, building his own home, fishing, and hunting. David and Renee would frequently be seen riding the Kawasaki Mule on the weekends, exploring the former farm trails and putting out corn for the deer.
David loved using the specially made Tower of Terror tree stand to photograph the wildlife and deer, and he especially loved it when Renee joined him. A significant aspect of David and Renee’s marriage was their love for animals. From their Chows, Bear and Panda to Smu, the Shih Tzu, to the Australian Healers Aussie, Dottie, Dundee, and Maxwell, to Hannah, the Maltese, David’s pets have spent the last 15 years with him and, like all of their puppies, have been an integral part of their family. With his father, David ran Arnsdorff Farms. From the middle of the 1980s through the late 1990s, it was one of Effingham County’s biggest swine-producing farms.
He has been the owner and operator of BH Transfer in Savannah for the last 22 years, supporting the port of Savannah with logistics. Renee Loper Arnsdorff, his wife, and his three brothers, Gregory Emory Arnsdorff of Atlanta, Alan Lee and Patrice Arnsdorff of Guyton, and Ashley Elmo and Allison Arnsdorff of Summerville, South Carolina, are left to carry on David’s legacy. Grant and Tiffany Arnsdorff, Dustin and Kirbie Arnsdorff and their children, Whitley and Langdon, Garrett and Courtney Arnsdorff and their daughter Leena of Guyton, Bryson, John and Martha Elizabeth Arnsdorff of Summerville, South Carolina, and Gracin and Ike Loper of Guyton are among the nephews and nieces that David is also survived by.
Paul Emory and Martha Neidlinger Arnsdorff, as well as David’s mother-in-law Robbie Price Lowe, predeceased him. On Sunday, March 15, 2020, at 2 p.m., a memorial ceremony and celebration of David’s life will be place at Springfield’s Bethel Lutheran Church. It will be officiated by the Rev. Dr. Robert (Bob) LeFavi. After the service is over, the family will host friends.
The family requests gifts in David Arnsdorff’s honor be given to Bethel Lutheran Church, 1984 Ga. Hwy. 21 North, Springfield, Georgia 31329, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. 1000 Dept. 142 Memphis, Tennessee 38148.
