Arnold Jessie Dysart

Arnold Jessie Dysart passed away on November 28, 2025 in his home in Covington, Georgia. Born in Atlanta, Georgia on August 24, 1946 to parents Robert Dysart and Joyce Sellers, Arnold was, as he described it – the “first of the baby boomers” – and a lifelong Atlantan.

Raised in a house near Grant Park with his mother (more affectionately referred to as “Grandma Sellers”), Arnold grew up playing baseball in the park and exploring the neighborhoods of Atlanta. Arnold attended Fulton High School, and ultimately was called to military service and followed in the footsteps of his father, serving his country in Vietnam.

Returning home from the war – and what the song the Summer of ’69 must have been written about – Arnold met Sheila Duren from Conyers, Georgia. On a (lucky) Friday the 13th of June in 1969, Arnold proposed to Sheila at Atlanta Fulton County Stadium - just three weeks after meeting. They were married on January 11, 1970 in a church in Grant Park, and afterwards moved to Germany where Arnold was stationed in the Army. Arnold and Sheila had their first son, Arnold Jessie “AJ” Dysart, Jr., while in Germany, and their second son, Kevin Artemus Dysart in 1973 when they moved back to Georgia.

Arnold lived life through experiences and travel with family and friends. Arnold was a lifelong Braves fan, and he and Sheila were even at the game that Hank Aaron hit #715 (but only Arnold saw – Sheila was in the bathroom!). The Dysart family (which came to include grandson Tyler Dysart in 1995 and granddaughter Kerri Dysart in 1998) explored through history-led road trips, with favorites being the Atlanta History Museum, the “Unto These Hills” outdoor drama in Cherokee, Jimmy Carter’s birthplace in Plains, or the Little White House in Warm Springs.

Arnold’s love for his family was as consistent and unwavering as his mustache; he was a caretaker first, selflessly prioritizing those around him. He was never at a loss for words or without a smile, and will be remembered most for how he could start a conversation with anyone and in a few minutes, have them feel as if they’d known him for years.

Arnold was preceded in death by his father Robert Dysart and mother Joyce Sellers. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years Sheila Dysart, brothers Don Dysart and Robbie Dysart, sisters June Partain and Joan Sellers, sons AJ Dysart and Kevin Dysart, grandchildren Tyler Dysart and Kerri Dysart, and great-grandchildren Lilly Dysart, Aspen Boyd, and Nevaeh Wynn. 

A funeral service for Mr. Dysart will be held at 11 o’clock on Thursday, December 4, 2025 at the Chapel of J.C. Harwell and Son Funeral Home with Reverend Brian Inman officiating.  Interment will follow at 2:30 PM on Thursday at the Georgia Veteran’s Cemetery at Milledgeville, 2617 Vinson Highway, Milledgeville, GA 31061.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday prior to the service from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM. 

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