October 24, 2025, 51, Goldsboro —
Just before the dawning of a new day on Friday, October 24, 2025, David Shane Arnette passed away. Death came for Shane at the age of 51, while he was being loved and cared for at the home of his mother, which was also the ancestral home of the Clayton Pate family.
Shane grew up in Clinton, but life took him to various places to live, including Florida, where he lived the better part of his adulthood.
Shane was an outdoorsman, a guy who loved camping, fishing, and travel. He found joy in figuring out how things worked, even the smallest of items intrigued his curiosity. He had been an avid football player, and was on the team that won the state championship in the 1990’s from Clinton High School. Shane is remembered as having been fearless, always happy and upbeat, with an adventurous spirit. He found appreciation in the simple, everyday things of life. Much of Shane’s employment had involved truck driving or crane and heavy equipment operations.
He leaves behind his two daughters that he loved very much, Ashley Nichole Arnette of Florida, and Rachel LeAnn Arnette of Tennessee; his mother and step-father, Tamra “Tammy” Pate Lytch and R. Allen Lytch of the Scott’s Store area near Mount Olive; a brother, Jason Franklin Arnette of Clinton; a nephew, Jason Franklin “Jake” Arnette Ii of Clinton; a niece, Harbor Gray Arnette of Clinton; aunts and uncles, Patricia and Mark Pate, and Peggy and Ronald Pate, all of the Scott’s Store area, and Regina and Billy Kilpatrick of Kenansville; along with several cousins and their families.
Shane was preceded in death by his father, James Franklin Arnette; and his grandparents, W. Clayton and Rachel Lee Kornegay Pate, and James and Sue Maready Arnette, and has been reunited with them in another realm.
A graveside service to reflect upon Shane and his life will be Sunday, October 26, at 2:00 p.m. at the Clayton Pate Family Cemetery (596 Bennett’s Bridge Road, Mount Olive, NC). Presiding will be Grant Jones. Friends and relatives are being received at the residence, and also at the cemetery following the service. For those wishing to honor Shane’s memory with a memorial contribution, suggested is a fund to assist his daughters with their college endeavors. Checks should be made payable to Tamra Lytch, and using the above address.
The Arnette family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff of Gentiva Hospice for the exceptional care and kindness shown during this difficult time, especially to Nikki, Jordan, Heather, and Allison. Their love and support brought comfort and strength through these difficult moments.
