Mr. Arnold Didomenica

He passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 12th at 8:15 PM. He was born January 4th, 1933 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is preceded in death by his parents, Timothy and Leuna Williams DiDomenica and parents-in-law, Lea and Nettie Dunn Harvell. Survived by his wife, Marilyn Harvell DiDomenica; a son, Timothy Lea DiDomenica; a daughter and son-in-law, Claire and Kenneth Gowdy, Sr.; a grandson, Kenneth "Parker" Gowdy, Jr. and a granddaughter Griffin Gabrielle Gowdy.

He was raised in New Orleans where he graduated from Francis T. Nichols High School. He spent time at the Milne Home for Boys where he became interested in sports. He then attended Southeastern University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Education. While there, he met his future bride, Marilyn on the dance floor. Previous to marriage, he was inducted into the Army and served in Seoul, Korea from November of 1956 to August of 1958. He then moved to Baton Rouge and took a job as recreation supervisor for BREC. In 1960, he was sponsored to attend the Olympic games in Rome, Italy. On May 12th, 1962, he and Marilyn were married and had two children. In 1964- 1965, he taught biology at Istrouma High School for 3 years at which time he formed a girls after-school track and field program as well as a softball team through BREC. Both teams were highly successful. He became interested in coaching gymnastics and began a program along with Powell-Moise dance school where he coached from 1964-1974. During that time he started teaching biology at Redemptorist High School during the day and coaching gymnastics at night. With the help of some of the gymnastics parents, he was able to purchase his own property and Baton Rouge Gymnastics Club was born. It was the first private all gymnastics club in Baton Rouge.

In 1978, he was offered a position at the newly formed Baton Rouge High Magnet School where he started their gymnastics program. He taught for 3 years then retired from teaching and focused solely on his gymnastics business. "Smo" helped promote gymnastics locally and abroad, taking his students all over The USA and Europe to compete. His two children were gymnasts, and they had the privilege of traveling with their parents. He was highly instrumental in organizing the Louisiana Sports Festival. He was also a coordinator for the Special Olympics, Senior Olympics and USA World Acrobatic and Trampoline and Tumbling Championships, all held in Baton Rouge. He also made connections with Chinese gymnasts at the Atlanta Olympics and brought them to Baton Rouge to have gymnastics exhibitions and exchanges with US gymnasts. He retired from gymnastics in 2004 after which he was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2010. He is known as the "Godfather of Gymnastics" in Louisiana.

In his spare time, "Smo" was an avid gardener. He loved watching the vegetables grow and generously shared his bounty with the community. He adored animals and had many devoted dogs over the years. He was a beloved member of Jefferson Baptist Church where he was involved with the production of the Twin Living Christmas Trees, Young at Heart, and Sunday school. "Smo" lived a lifetime of service. He was loyal to many and his legacy of commitment to teaching, sports and mankind and will be fondly remembered. Special thanks to Acadian Ambulance, St. George Fire Department, Baton Rouge General Hospital, Carrington Place Nursing Home, Hospice in His Care as well as all who sat with and cared for him in his final days. Visitation will be at Resthaven Gardens of Memory at 11817 Jefferson Highway, Friday, April 22, 2016 from 6-9 pm. From 8:30 pm until 9 pm an open mic will be available for those wishing to speak on Arnold's life. On Saturday, April 23, 2016 a second visitation will be held from 10 - 11 am with the funeral at 11 am. Interment will be held after the funeral service in King Solomon's Garden at Resthaven.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to Hospice in His Care or the Arnold "Smo" DiDomenica Memorial Fund which supports summer missions in Europe. To give online, go to : www.antiochbr.com/give. Donation envelopes for this fund will also be available at the funeral home.

Visitation

Resthaven Funeral Home
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Friday, April 22, 2016
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Resthaven Funeral Home
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Saturday, April 23, 2016
10:00 am - 11:00 am

Service

Resthaven Funeral Home
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816
Saturday, April 23, 2016
11:00 am

Cemetery

Resthaven Gardens of Memory
11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA  70816