Arnell Preyar

Arnell Preyar, 70, passed away at his home in Clarksville, TN on Monday, August 22, 2022.  He was preceded in death by his father(s)  Alois Kirk, Jr. & Calvin Carter, Jr.; grandparents, Allen & Willie Mae Swayzer, Alois & Idella Kirk, Dee & Elizabeth Preyar; aunties Darlene Bone & Dorothy McFarland, uncles Vernon Preyar  & Wille D. Preyar.

Arnell aka “Peter”/”Pee Wee” Preyar, son of the late Calvin Carter, Jr. and Gertrude P. Kirk (Alois Kirk, Jr.) was born on February 28, 1952 in Charleston, Missouri. He later moved to Chicago, IL in 1953 and later attended Parker High School.  In October of 1972, he was drafted in the United States Army at just 20 years old.  He was actually part of the last few rounds to ever be drafted into the military as the draft ended the following year.  This seemingly proved to be beneficial for Arnell as he continued to serve until retiring in October of 1992. As a decorated serviceman with a span of 20 years, SSG Arnell Preyar was awarded several medals & recognitions throughout his career to include the National Defense Medal w/ bronze Service Star, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal along with Army Service Ribbon and the NCO Professional Development Ribbon.  He was obviously no stranger to travel completing a couple of tours of duty oversees in Germany along with a few orders here in the US spanning from bases located in New Jersey, Indiana, and then finally Alabama. His contribution and dedicative service to his country is undeniable just as it is truly honorable.  He and his service is certainly felt and appreciated.

Aside from proudly serving his country and retiring from the USPS after about 10+ years, Arnell enjoyed various activities such as fishing, shooting pool, and bow hunting.  He was also an avid fan of automobiles and loved going to car shows.  He also had a fervent love of music and his favorite R&B singer was Smokey Robinson.  At a younger age, Arnell would go around the house singing all of Smokey’s songs and subsequently dubbed himself “Arnell Smokey Preyar”.

Arnell leaves to cherish his loving memories with his lovely mother, Gertrude P. Kirk; his children Arnell Antoine McGee, Mandy Dickens (Corey), Steven Arnall Preyar, Violet Preyar (Javien); his grandchildren, Donovan Dickens, Lauryn Bergert, Fallon Davis, Brooklyn Davis, Cormandon Davis, London Davis, Laila McAvoy; his siblings, Lenora Cooper (Derrick), Michael Kirk (Patricia), Cynthia Walker (Louis); his nieces and nephews, Erica Dean Thomas (Tito), Derrick M. Cooper (Sabrina), Milton Coleman, Justin Cooper,  LaShon Walker; his aunties, Virgie Triplett and Freddie Flowers; his uncles Charles Preyar, Donald Tyrone Preyar, Anthony Leroy Preyar (Ruth); along with a host of cousins, family, and friends.