Arnold “Arny” Roen Bolkcom passed away at the age of 63 on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at home in Fortuna with his wife by his side, after a yearlong battle with epithelioid angiosarcoma metastasized cancer.

Arny was born the fifth child of Richard and Ruth (Roen) Bolkcom, Sr., in Happy Camp, California. He grew up moving wherever his father transferred, to Arcata in 1964, Oakdale in 1972, and Fort Bragg in 1975, where he graduated from Fort Bragg High School in 1979. Following high school he enrolled in College of the Redwoods Diesel Program; his first job after attaining his Diesel certification was in central California as a diesel mechanic for Van Dykes Rice Dryer, Inc. This is where he earned his class A driver license and later Jim Stitt, where he received his certificate of Completion for Apprenticeship from the California Apprenticeship Council, and his Journeyman classification with the Machinists and Mechanics Union in 1987.

He met his future wife, Tammy Ashby, in 1982, and married her in 1985. Arny was hired by the California Department of Transportation in 1992, and in 1994 began his career with California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. In 1995 Arny became the Fleet Equipment Manager for Humboldt and Del Norte counties. He relocated his family to Humboldt County, settling in Fortuna, where he worked until his retirement in September 2014. He spent his retirement years enjoying time with his family and friends, camping, fishing, metal detecting, wood working, building projects for friends and family and home improvement. He especially enjoyed the time he spent with his four grandsons.

Arny was preceded in death by his father Richard H. Bolkcom, Sr. (1998), mother Ruth E. Roen (2013), brother Richard H. Bolkcom, Jr. (2012), sister Ann Gill (2023); father-in-law Walter Frank Ashby (2007).

Arny is survived by his wife of thirty-nine years, Tammy Bolkcom; daughters Amanda, (Anthony); Elizabeth (Cliff) Freitas; grandsons: Adam, Carter, Logan and Cameron: mother in law Mary Myers; brother David (Connie) Bolkcom; sister Nancy (Mike) Shaw; brother in law Curt Gill; cousin Michael Thomas; nieces and nephews: Rick Bolkcom, Aaron Peterson, John Shaw, Wendy Hunter, Mark Bolkcom, Travis Gill, Kristen Gill. Many great nieces and great nephews, and three great-great nephews. Arny had many friends, coworkers and neighbors that were like family to him. He made friends with everyone and could get to know a stranger like he knew them for years.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Humboldt County Hospice, the American Cancer Society, or a humane shelter in your community. A Celebration of Life is being planned for the future, but no date is yet scheduled.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Arny Bolkcom’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.