Arthur Leonard Mangum Jr.

Lubbock, Texas - Arthur Leonard (A.L.) Mangum, Jr., a cherished father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather and loyal friend to many, passed away peacefully at home on July 1, 2025, at age 93.

A.L. was born on February 7, 1932, in Plainview, Texas to Arthur Leonard and Thelma Ruth Amburg Mangum. His mother said to call him A.L. It didn't take him long to move to his lifelong home of Lubbock at age one. He had one older sister, Betty Jo Mangum Maier, who later settled with her husband Sam, in Kansas. A.L.’s father was one of 9 children, and his mother Ruth was one of 7.

Growing up in Lubbock, A.L. enjoyed the time he spent with his dad working on and rebuilding his ‘46 Chevy, as well as his ‘40 Ford. He obtained his cherished Cushman scooter when he was a teenager. He relished the time traveling to Red River, New Mexico with his mother, dad, and sister Betty Jo, that would translate later to a love of visiting New Mexico and taking his young children to learn how to ski at Sipapu Ski area in New Mexico. His love for skiing continued in his own life as he was always the first one on the mountain in the morning and the last one to leave. We remember his final ski trip in Taos, New Mexico at age 85, still able to master the stem christie down the mountain! He also had fond memories of his many ski trips with the guys to the Taos Ski and Tennis Ranch where he could enjoy a full day of skiing and an evening of playing tennis. He was a loyal and dedicated fan of Texas Tech Football, holding season tickets for many years and always providing an exhilarating family transportation experience to the games in the cherished Brown Bomber (a 1972 Grand Safari Pontiac Station Wagon).

A.L. attended Lubbock High School and went on to attend and graduate from Texas Tech University with a BBA in Accounting in January of 1955. While at Tech, A.L. was a member of the Saddle Tramps and the Silver Key Social Club which later became Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He met his wife Marybeth Toles in high school and dated during their time together at Texas Tech. They married on February 5, 1956, at the First Baptist Church in Lubbock during a record snowstorm. A.L. had been drafted a year earlier in 1955 and was proud to serve his country in the US Army. After completing his Army Basic Training in Fort Ord, California in the 1st Infantry Regiment 3rd Platoon Company I, he was stationed at Fort Holabird in Dundalk, Maryland which is where he and Marybeth lived for a short time after their wedding. They settled back in Lubbock and A.L. began his career with Western Fire and Indemnity Company. Doug was born in 1958 and daughter Susan followed in 1962.

A.L. demonstrated his strong work ethic within the Lubbock community as he went on to work at Plains Mortgage and then worked his way up the corporate ladder at Lubbock Savings and Loan. This later became First Texas Savings, and he served as president there until 1980 when he left to start Caprock Savings of Lubbock in that same year. He also made time to give back to the community with his active involvement in Lubbock Lions Club, the Eco Wrap Club, and his faithful involvement at the First Baptist Church, Downtown Bible Class, and St Stephen’s Episcopal Church. After seeing the successful sale of Caprock Savings in 1985, he began life as an independent financial consultant and had more flexibility in his schedule to begin attending more of his grandchildren's sporting events along with Marybeth. He also treasured both his personal and business relationships with his brother-in-law Penrod Toles, Marybeth’s brother. The family will never forget gathering with the Toles family on the July 4th weekend in Picacho, New Mexico, when the entire crate of fireworks went off in one gigantic, accidental explosion...fault was never determined.

Following Marybeth’s untimely passing in August 2006, A.L. started a new phase in his life when he met and married Jeri Lott. They were married in Taos, New Mexico on April 14, 2008. They enjoyed many years of travel and spending time with their extended families and mutual friends. A special family memory was celebrating with Jeri in Taos, New Mexico, where he skied for free, following his 80th birthday dinner. A.L. embraced the addition of his many new family members after his marriage to Jeri. He was blessed to be able to stay at home with Jeri, until his passing.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Leonard and Thelma Ruth Amburg Mangum, his sister Betty Joe Mangum Maier, and his wife Marybeth Toles Mangum.

He is survived by his wife, Jeri Lott Mangum, his son J. Douglas Mangum and wife Susan of Austin, his daughter Susan Mangum Johnson and husband Lee of Lubbock, his granddaughters Ashley Mangum Zarbock and husband Cliff and their five children of Corpus Christi, Brooke Johnson and her two children of Fort Collins, Colorado, Sarah Mangum of Austin, and grandson Evan Johnson and wife Jenny of Denver, Colorado.

A.L. had a very positive outlook on life which was demonstrated by his many KIP (Keep it Positive) quotes and his ability to find the best in every situation and in every person. What an amazing legacy not only for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, but all of the other people in A.L.'s life that he shared these life lessons with.

There will be a visitation at Resthaven Funeral Home on Sunday, July 6th from 6:00 to 7:30pm. A private interment will take place at St Stephen’s Episcopal Church. On Monday July 7th, please join us for a Celebration of Life to be held at McPherson Cellars located at 1615 Texas Ave., in Lubbock from 3:00 to 5:00pm.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Lubbock for providing such gentle and compassionate care for A.L. for the past several weeks.

We would also like to thank Comfort Keepers for taking such good care of A.L. for the past couple of years with many wonderful caregivers. We would like to especially thank Yolanda and Michael Houston who have gone above and beyond with their love and commitment and who will forever be a part of our family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Texas Tech University or the charity of your choosing.