Doyle Louis Arnold
September 19, 1948 - July 22, 2026
Doyle Louis Arnold, retired Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Zions Bancorporation, died on July 22, 2026, in Salt Lake City, two difficult months after a heart attack. He was 77.
Born in San Antonio, Texas, to Elaine Walker Engel Arnold and the late Louis Carlyle Arnold, he grew up in Houston and then La Porte, Texas, where his mother was a school librarian and his father worked in accounting for Humble Oil (now ExxonMobil). Doyle graduated as valedictorian of his high school class in 1966, the same week his father completed a bachelor’s degree after nine years of night school.
At Rice University, Doyle majored in economics, and upon graduating in 1970 was commissioned an ensign in the United States Navy, serving until 1973 aboard the USS Paul off Vietnam.
After an MBA from Stanford, Doyle began his career in consulting in San Francisco, then served in Washington at the U.S. Department of the Treasury as Senior Deputy Comptroller of the Currency. He returned to California in 1984, married his wife Anne the following year, and held senior positions at Wells Fargo and Bank of America.
Zions Bancorporation recruited Doyle in 2001, and Salt Lake City became home for the next 25 years. As the Vice Chairman and CFO he led the finance and administration functions through the 2008 financial crisis and the regulatory change that followed, raising more than $2 billion in capital and building the company’s stress-testing and risk management functions. With the chief executive, he led the largest acquisition in Zions’ history. Institutional Investor’s poll repeatedly named him the top-ranked mid-cap bank CFO. He retired in 2015.
In retirement he was a Vice Chair of Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, a trustee of Rice University, and an Elder at First Presbyterian Church.
Doyle loved gardening, especially roses, and nothing pleased him more than being on a golf course. Colleagues and friends alike remember a quick wit, an impish smile, and a fierce insistence on doing the right thing. Within his family, his generosity was legendary.
Doyle and Anne had 45 years together, 41 of them married, filled with national parks, concerts, museums, and travel, always more travel. Their son Ian was born in 1991. Doyle was very proud of Ian, who followed in Doyle’s footsteps at Rice and currently works as a software engineer.
Doyle is survived by his beloved wife Anne; his son Ian and daughter-in-law Jenn; his mother Elaine; his brother Brian; his sister Brenda and her husband Mike; his goddaughter Emily; and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 12 C Street, Salt Lake City, on Wednesday, September 16, at 2:00 p.m. A reception follows at Zions Bank Tower.
Memorial gifts may be made to Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, First Presbyterian Church, or the Heart & Vascular Center at the University of Utah.
Share your memories and photos with the Arnold family.
In Loving Memory
We were so very sad to read the news of Doyle’s passing. Deepest condolences to Ann, Ian, and the rest of the family. He will be missed by all Rice alumni and staff that he worked with over the years. He made such an impact on the financial world and alap always remembered to give back. Wishing the family peace and strength.
Doyle and I served on the Commissioning Crew on USS PAUL DE-1080 from 1970-1973. We also attended PAUL reunions. He was a great human being; a great Naval Officer and shipmate. Though we went our separate ways after PAUL, we stayed in touch all these many years. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
We are very saddened to hear of Doyle’s passing, and would love to share a memory. After our daughter Anna graduated from high school in 2010, she was thrilled to be accepted to Rice University in Houston. We did not know the Arnold family at that time; Doyle was a Rice alumnus whose son Ian was also planning to attend Rice. Doyle and Anne planned two special gatherings at their home for all the prospective Rice students from Utah. There were five students who came with their families and we all got to know each other. It was such a friendly and warm feeling to know the support these students had from their families and friends. It added to our peace of mind about sending our daughter off to school so far away. It was a lovely time, and a very fond memory. We attached a picture of the Rice students at our gathering. Anne, Ian, and Family, we pass along our sincere condolences to you, and please know that you're in our prayers. Cindy & Bob Wright
Twenty-three years ago, through the University of Utah’s Cross-Cultural Club, we had the privilege of meeting Doyle, Anne, and Ian—a truly wonderful family. They generously opened both their home and their hearts to us, sharing memorable experiences and creating beautiful moments filled with affection, kindness, and support. As international students, those experiences meant so much to us and remain treasured memories. We are deeply saddened by Doyle’s passing and profoundly grateful for the warmth and kindness he and his family showed us. Our three teenage children and we are keeping you all in our prayers and praying for the eternal rest of his soul. With heartfelt sympathy and gratitude, José and Lorena
In Loving Memory
