Oran Arthur Massey

Col. Oran Arthur (Art) Massey, U.S. Army (Ret), passed from earth to Heaven on Thursday, March 24, 2022. He passed away peacefully at home in Alexandria, Virginia, at the age of 88. He leaves behind many who greatly loved him.

Art was born in Bruno, Arkansas, and raised by his stepfather and mother, Raymond and Ethel Caines of Kansas City, Kansas, and his grandmother, Zelma Crunkleton, of Springfield, Missouri.

Art enrolled at Southwest Missouri State College in Springfield, Missouri and immediately was elected freshman class president, and soon became president of his fraternity. He was a friend to everyone he knew and there was always lots of laughter when he was around. Besides the fun, Art excelled in ROTC while working his way full-time through college, earning a B.A. in business.

Most importantly, at Southwest Missouri State, Art met his future wife, Annabelle, the love of his life. They married as he entered his senior year of college.

After college, Art became a U.S. Army officer and an Airborne Ranger. He later became the Assistant Director of the Florida Ranger Camp. He was deployed overseas twice, to South Korea and Vietnam. He taught at The Command and General Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, and led a battalion at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. In 1975, Art's career brought him to the Pentagon, where he served in various positions for eight years.

During his 26 years of distinguished military service, Art was awarded a Bronze Star with a ""V"" for ""Valor,"" the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal First Class, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, along with a number of other medals and honors.

Upon retirement, Art became a manager for JBG Smith Company in the Northern Virginia area, managing a number of shopping centers including Crystal City Underground. He was fondly known as "The Mayor of Crystal City."

Art was an avid reader, loved to play the guitar and sing folk songs, learned to sail with Ann at age 50, then sailed the Chesapeake Bay together on weekends and vacations for 15 years on their 34-foot sailboat. After years of sailing, Art learned to play golf in his late 60's and shot a hole-in-one in his late 70's. However, with two great careers and many different interests, Art's greatest passion in life was always family. He was a role-model to all in his devotion to family.

Art was preceded in death by Ann in August 2018, after 64 years of wonderful marriage. Art leaves behind their three children—Jan Massey Esher, Susan Massey, David Massey (Cathy), and two grandchildren who brought him great delight—Kyle Massey and Elissa (Elli) Esher. He also leaves behind his sister, Jimmie Gayle Massey, his "brother" and sister-in-law, David and Donna Gillman, and nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1301 Collingwood Road, Alexandria, VA 22308, on Sunday, May 1, at 2 p.m., with a reception to follow.

There will be a later service at Arlington National Cemetery, with full military honors. Art will be laid to rest beside Ann at that time. If you would like to attend this service, please notify the family, and we will send you information as we receive it.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Pathway Homes, Inc. Please note "In memory of Art Massey." By mail: Pathway Homes, Inc.,10201 Fairfax Blvd., St #200, Fairfax, VA 22030. Or online: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=pathway&id=4