By Gwendolyn H. Daniels
IMM Correspondent
One would be hard-pressed to find a Black male who lived in or around the city of Garland over the last 60 years who never sat in the barber chair or heard of the expert barber, Azzie Arnick, Jr.
He lived a long life and became a Garland, TX legend.
Born November 5, 1931 and graduated from G. W. Carter High School in Karnack, TX, Arnick made his way to the big city of Dallas “to pursue a career in cosmetology as a licensed barber.”
He attended, graduated and then taught school at the notorious Graham’s Barber College for many years and at the end of his teaching career, he went on to work as a barber in Garland.
As he began to build his clientele in the city, he opened Arnick’s Barber Shop at 500 Clark Street in east Garland, and for several decades it became a popular establishment where African American males went for haircuts and spirited conversations.
Arnick transitioned on June 10, 2024.
The trail of barbers who learned their given profession under his leadership is impressive and their presence was greatly on display at his celebration of life service on Friday, June 21. Pastor D.P. Dawkins of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Fate, TX delivered the eulogy at Restland Funeral Home’s Memorial Chapel in Dallas.
Pastor Dawkins fondly recalled his first haircut from Arnick, “A large Yellow Pages book had to be placed in his barber chair” in order for the young Demond Patrick to get his haircut that day.
Choosing the Book of Judges, chapter 16, verse 22, Pastor Dawkins expounded on the life of Sampson and he admonished anyone among the congregation who did not know Christ in the parting of their sins, that “today is a good day” to get to know Jesus Christ.
Arnick and his wife, Joyce, made their home in the Hamilton Park community of Dallas where they raised their family. At the funeral service, Thomas Jefferson of the Hamilton Park City League delivered a resolution documenting the profound mark that Arnick made in Hamilton Park and the many contributions he made to the Richardson ISD.
President Ricky C. McNeal of the Garland NAACP read a resolution on behalf of the decades of financial support and encouragement Arnick’s Barber Shop gave to the local NAACP unit, and Councilman B. J. Williams of the Garland City Council brought remarks on the legendary Azzie Arnick. Three gentlemen, who described themselves as “first cousins” collectively gave remarks on the influence of “Uncle Azzie” in their lives.
Final remarks shared at the service came from Mr. Michael Hamilton, the longest tenured barber who worked under the tutelage of Arnick gave inspiring words about the influence that he made in his life and how he will celebrate 30 years in the barber profession all because of Arnick. And Theo Arnick, Azzie’s only living brother, shared that he chose to leave Texas and reside in St. Louis, MO where he became a mechanic and raised his family. He said that like many siblings, “they would fight one another all the time.”
Azzie Arnick’s oldest daughter, Velma Arnick Gibbs, along with grandson Paul Gibbs and great grandson Aaron Gibbs were in attendance at the home-going service and they warmly welcomed everyone who came to be part of their loved one’s celebration of life.
Gwendolyn H. Daniels is a servant leader and correspondent for I Messenger Media. A faithful member of the Garland NAACP, Gwen is also a past president of the South Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club.
