Michael "Mike" Jefferson Arthur Sr.

December 18, 2018

Michael Jefferson Arthur was a true Atlantan. Born January 25, 1947 into a family of Atlanta home builders, Michael Jefferson Arthur, Sr. carried on the traditions and values of his father, Steve Arthur--building integrity into business practices, instilling solid foundations in Atlanta youth, and honoring family and friends.

Mike Arthur was an Atlanta native who began his career building in Dunwoody. During his fifty-year career as a quality home builder and developer, he built more than 400 homes. His homes can be found in subdivisions such as Horseshoe Bend and Riverlake Shores in Roswell, Waterford Green in East Cobb, and Smithwick Crossing in the Cumming area. As a young man Mike worked with his brother, Steve, designing and building houses in Brookhaven and Buckhead. Then together with wife Harriet and son Jeff, Mike built homes and developed properties as far north as Forsyth county. In his later years, Mike began restoring homes in southwest Atlanta with his life-long friends Bobby Gibson, Tommy Spurlin and Bobby Nash.

Mike's belief in being connected to the community inspired him to work with Atlanta youth as a coach. Mike himself was mentored while playing baseball in the Dixie and Little League teams at Bagley Park, playing football for the Buckhead Red Devils in Peachtree Hills, and playing at Chastain Park on the Pony and Colt League baseball teams. These teams were to become the NYO, Northside Youth Organization, started by his father, one of the founding members. Mike began coaching at Chastain Park in the late 1970’s on the baseball diamonds built by his Dad. During the 1980’s he coached his son, Jeff, and Jeff’s friends, in youth basketball and baseball in Roswell. He continued coaching and influencing Roswell’s young sports community for more than a decade. In the early 2000s Mike and two childhood friends coached thirteen and fourteen-year olds in the East Cobb Baseball Program.. Throughout his adulthood, Mike pursued his love of sports, participating in the Peachtree Road Race, and becoming a passionate, highly skilled and avid, golfer.

Family was all important. His wife of 32 years, Harriet, meant the world to him and Mike insisted that Christmas Eve, special Birthdays, and Thanksgiving be spent in his and Harriet’s Alpharetta home--a loving and welcoming home. Mike cared deeply about his siblings and was always there when called upon. He was also closely bonded to his son Jeff and taught him the building business.

Michael Jefferson Arthur, Sr. supported and respected his friendships. From Sarah Smith Elementary School where he created lifelong friendships to Dykes High School [he recently spearheaded the committee for their 50th high school reunion] to West Georgia College, he had the ability to create enduring relationships. The boys from Buckhead stayed together for life, even meeting every Saturday for breakfast in Sandy Springs in their later years to this day.

The friends he had in the beginning were the friends he had at the end. Truly a testament to him, within the first hours of Mike's death, a human circle of strength, protection, grace, and abundant love was visible around his bedside--family and friends joining together to say their goodbyes.

Michael Jefferson Arthur, Sr. is survived by wife, Harriet Camp Arthur of Alpharetta, son Michael Jefferson Arthur, Jr. (Jeff) of Alpharetta, Jeff’s mother, Lynda Arthur Griffin of St. Pete Beach, Fl. brother, Steven Thomas Arthur and wife Tere of Roswell, sister, Dr Linda Lillie Arthur of Savannah, and sister, Mary Catherine Arthur and wife Nita French of Atlanta. Mike is also survived by four nieces, one nephew and four grandnieces and two grandnephews.

The Mike Arthur family invite family and friends to the viewing to be held Thursday, December 20, from 6:00p.m. to 9:00p.m. at H.M. Patterson & Son, Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Road, Sandy Springs, Georgia. Funeral services will be held Friday, December 21st at 11:00 in the sanctuary of Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, Atlanta, Georgia.

For those desiring memorial contributions may be directed to The Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research in memory of Mike Arthur.