Arnold Jay Hawley, 54, of Boulder, Colorado, passed away Saturday afternoon, January 14, 2012 after suffering a seizure in his home.

Born September 11, 1957 in Winfield, Kansas, he was the son of Ellis and Sofia Hawley. He spent his early childhood (up through 5th grade) in Denton, Texas where he attended Selwyn Preparatory School. His family then moved to Columbus, Ohio where they lived for one year and then to Iowa City, Iowa where Arnold completed high school.

Arnold attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa and completed a bachelor's degree in statistics. Subsequently, he also began work on a master's degree at Iowa State University and the University of
Arkansas. Arnold then entered a difficult period of his life when he became mentally ill in his early twenties.

Through the next 20 years of his life he was hospitalized on multiple occassions and endured many treatments and therapies, but was unable to recover. He never had the opportunity to develop a career of his own or
marry.

In 2005 Arnold's sister, Agnes, and father, Ellis, took Arnold to the Pfeiffer Treatment Center in the Chicago area where Arnold was diagnosed with malabsorption, zinc/copper imbalance, zinc deficiency, and poor
methylation. Arnold began a supplement program managed by the doctors at Pfeiffer and was able to recover from mental illness.

In the process of this treatment program the family became aware that Arnold also had autistic symptoms and Arnold was diagnosed with autism. With the symtoms of mental illness subsiding the family focussed on dealing with autism.

Agnes began working with Arnold on several therapies and finally moved Arnold to the Boulder, Colorado area to live with her and her husband. Agnes and her husband worked with Arnold to teach him how to cook his own
meals and take care of basic day-to-day tasks.

In 2010 Arnold moved into a home with another autistic man and support from the Windhorse community services group in Boulder. In 2011 Arnold moved into an apartment of his own with support from his sister and her husband.

After his recovery Arnold was able to do many of the things that he had previously enjoyed before his illness, playing pool and bowling were some of his favorite activities. He was a particularly good bowler, often bowling
over 200. He also enjoyed playing bridge with the family and enjoyed Saturday nights out at the Taj restaurant in Boulder, where he enjoyed meals specially prepared for him by the owner and staff of the Taj.

Arnold had been particularly gifted at playing the accordion in his youth and was in the process of starting this activity again. His sister and her husband had his accordion repaired and he received this as a gift on
Christmas 2011, just prior to his death in January.

His family includes his father Ellis Hawley of Iowa City, Iowa, his sister, Agnes Freese and husband Tim of Niwot, Colorado and his sister Christine Cruise of Columbus, Ohio.

Arnold was preceded in death by his mother Sofia Hawley and his brother-in-law James Cruise.

Graveside funeral services will be held on Monday, January 23, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. at the Cambridge Cemetery. A light reception will follow at the Cambridge Presbyterian Church. Miles Funeral Service is in charge of local arrangements.