Barbara Jo Fry Arnold, a Brownwood native who built a 17-year career as president of West Texas Educators Credit Union and later chaired the State of Texas Credit Union Commission, died November 1, 2026, at age 92, according to an obituary published by Brownwood News.
Family and friends will gather for a memorial service at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, 2026, at Heartland Funeral Home in Early. A graveside service at Cedar Point Cemetery will follow, along with a reception to share memories and celebrate Arnold’s life.
Brownwood roots and return
Arnold was born Oct. 19, 1934, at the home of her grandparents, Lenna and James Horace Fry, in Brownwood. She graduated from Brownwood schools and attended North Texas University.
After moving to Galveston, she joined the Galveston Junior League and helped with efforts to restore historic sites and older homes. She returned to Brownwood in 1966 with her daughters, who completed their lower education through Brownwood ISD.
In Brownwood, Arnold worked for 10 years as assistant cashier at Citizens National Bank. During that period, she also enjoyed riding horses and hunting at the family ranch.
Career in credit unions
Arnold moved to Houston in 1976, where she became a supervisory examiner for the State of Texas Credit Union Department. She later transferred to Austin and specialized in assisting credit unions that needed help.
In 1980, she became president of West Texas Educators Credit Union in Odessa, a position she held for 17 years. Gov. William F. Clements appointed her to the State of Texas Credit Union Commission on July 29, 1988. After Ann Richards became governor in 1992, Richards reappointed Arnold to the commission, where Arnold was elected chairwoman.
Arnold retired from the credit union industry in 1997 and moved to Lake Granbury. She later lived in Dallas for 16 years, moved to Houston in 2020 and returned to Brownwood in 2024.
Family and remembrance
She is survived by her daughters and their spouses, Andrea Arnold and Patrick Stinson, Geanna Arnold and Sam Cutbirth, and Cynthia Arnold Krist, along with one grandson, five granddaughters and 11 great-grandchildren. Her survivors also include her brother, Bobby L. Fry and his wife, Brenda, and nieces Leslie Fry Lalonde and Taylor Fry Sohr.
Arnold was preceded in death by her parents, Estelle Egger and James Walter Fry. Her family remembered her as selfless, devoted and thoughtful, with a deep faith and a meaningful connection to the Episcopal Church. The obituary said her kindness, compassion and generosity shaped the way she treated others.
Online condolences, memories and tributes may be shared with the family through Heartland Funeral Home.