Arnold Obey's Story

Arnold Obey grew up in the Bronxdale Houses in the Soundview section of the Bronx. The oldest of six, he watched his hard-working father wear himself out moving other people's furniture from one end of New York City to the other, year after year. And somewhere along the way, the bright kid with the streak of athleticism decided there was another way.

At DeWitt Clinton HS, Obey played on the powerhouse basketball team. He practiced every day with future pros, Luther Green and Willie Worsley, and a raft of other teammates who would go on to play college ball. Including a scrawny little underclassman everyone called "Tiny," whose real name was Nate Archibald. A New York City hoop legend and longtime NBA star, Archibald would someday make it to the basketball Hall of Fame.

After high school, Obey went on to play on one of the very best Wagner College teams of the school's pre-Division I era. He was a career 1,000-point scorer for the Wagner College Seahawks. Couple all that with the ability to beat most kids in a schoolyard sprint, even in a suit and tie, and it made Arnold a different kind of grown-up to many youngsters.

Arnold married Cheryl Obey in 1967 and together they raised three girls using basketball and the importance of education to guide them. Arnold worked from being a teacher, to an assistant principal, to an Elementary School Principal as well as serving as a high school basketball coach, referee, and a softball umpire.

Additionally, Arnold was a runner…a marathoner at that. He is a part of the NYC Marathon Streakers Club with a total of 38 consecutive NYC Marathons. Arnold also ran the Boston Marathon nine times, the Philadelphia Marathon, and the Disney Marathon three times.

After retiring from 35 years in education, Arnold began to give back to the Staten Island community. He became an advocate for disabled adults, working to give them more opportunities at independence and higher levels of care. Obey served on a board which created the “Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex” providing year-round track and field events for Staten Island’s youth.

For his great contributions, Arnold Obey was awarded “Man of The Year” through “Lifestyles for the Disabled” organization. The Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) created an annual 5k Run in his honor with proceeds benefitting the RUMC NICU ward. Unfortunately, Arnold Obey unexpectedly passed away in March of 2020.

To honor his legacy, the city of Staten Island renamed a street in his honor, “Arnold Obey Way”. They also planted a tree in Clove Lake Park in his memory. The Staten Island Running Association (SIRA) created the annual “Arnold Obey Good Guy” Award, which recognizes individuals who embody qualities like that of Arnold Obey. These traits and characteristics are quiet strength, positive energy, humility, and perseverance.

My Story

I am Karyn Obey, Arnold Obey’s youngest daughter. I retired in 2024 after serving in the Army for 23 years with 3 tours to Afghanistan. I've lived around the world from America to Germany to South Korea to The Netherlands. I was stationed here at Fort Bliss from 2018-2021 and fell in love with the city. Once I retired in 2024, I returned to El Paso and made it my home.

Losing my Dad in 2020 showed me he was a great man, a pilar of his community, a mentor, educator, and athlete. This truck is a chance to share his story with everyone which is my favorite part.

Arnold's Pastrami is in its second year of business and looks forward to becoming a staple of the El Paso Food Scene.