Captain "Retired" Arnold "A.C." Maher 86 of Etowah lost the battle with Agent Orange on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at his residence.

He was born Manchester, New Hampshire on September 1, 1932. He was of Baptist faith, and a member of Coghill Baptist Church.

Preceded in death by his parents, Omer and Edna Maher; brother, Omer Maher, Jr.; and son, David H. Maher.

Survived by his wife of 60 years, Helga Maher; son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Susan Maher of AL; daughters and son-in-law, Monica and Rocky Losh of Etowah, and Lydia Young of Etowah; daughter-in-law, Susan Maher of Etowah; grandson, Kelly Maher of Etowah; granddaughters, Sandy Butler of Etowah, Jennifer Cheek and husband Joseph of Vonore, Kara Maher of AL, Kamile Buckley of VA, and Gloria Young of Maryville; step-daughter, Chimbie Choat and her daughters, Emma and Grace Choat of Etowah; great-grandsons, Elisha Butler of Etowah, Joey McMurray of Vonore, Aidan and Ryan Buckley of VA, Exavier of Maryville; great-granddaughters, Freya Cheek of Vonore and Avery Maher of AL.

He was a life time member of V.F.W. POST 5146 of Athens; A member of the Tellico Lake POST 0256 American Legion. He was a charted member of the Hiwassee Chapter of S.A.R. and joined the Masonic Order in 1961 while stationed in Germany. He was a member of the Etowah Masonic Lodge # 653 and served as the Master of the Lodge in 2000. He was a member of the Etowah chapter of the O.E.S. and served as Worthy Patron 8 years; He enlisted in the Army in September of 1949; he went to Jump School and was assigned to the 82 ^nd Airborne Division; he attended Jump Master School while assigned to the 11 ^th Airborne Division in Germany. While Stationed in Vietnam as a Senior Enlisted Advisor to Arvin was his tasked to the 101 ^st Airborne Division and the 1 ^st Cav Division for joint support operations; he returned from Vietnam a commissioned officer. While serving in Thailand as an information officer for the Bob Hope Christmas Show, he had the privilege meeting and escorting astronaut Neil Armstrong through Bangkok.

Masonic Service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Friday, February 8, 2019 in the chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home. Family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 prior to the service. Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 9 ^th at Coghill Cemetery with Full Military Honors and Rev. Joe Hatcher and Rev. Wendell Puett officiating.