Arthur Francis Headding

He was born on February 10, 1926 in Buffalo, Oklahoma to George Washington and Myrtle May Headding. Many knew him as “Cob”, a nickname he attained as a young man. Growing up in the heart of the depression on a homestead in Oklahoma as one of nine children, he learned quickly to treasure everything he attained, a trait that stayed with him all of his life. Times were tough then, with Dad having to “walk to school, in the snow, with bread sacks for shoes (uphill both ways!)” Being raised during these hard times made him the man he would become later in life. As his brother recently recalled, he was “a real man’s man”. His family made a move to Arkansas in 1927, but returned to Oklahoma in 1933 where he lived until the age of 17. It was 1943 and World War 2 was in full-swing. So that his brother could stay at home to help on the farm and get married, he quit school in his senior year to enlist in the United States Navy where he served until 1946.

He married the woman of his dreams, Lucille Morford, on January 4, 1947. They would spend the next 65 years together, raising a family that would eventually consist of 4 ½ children, 12 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

He worked at the Boeing plant in Renton for a short time, before returning to the Yakima Valley in 1949, where he went to work at the Coca-Cola bottling plant. He eventually would go to work as an engineer with the Washington State Highway Department, where he would remain until his retirement in 1978. He had a hand in designing many of the interstates and bridges that we drive on each day. After his retirement, he was still in demand, working on contract basis for the transportation departments in both Washington and Alaska.

His early retirement gave him the opportunity to travel extensively. Together, he and Mom put thousands of miles on their motorhome, traveling across the country, into Canada and Alaska, and spending winters in the warm Arizona sun. Some of their fondest memories came from their days spent camped in the open deserts of the Southwest, or walking the beach at Ocean Shores.

He was the epitome of the term family man. He cherished every moment spent with his kids and grandkids, creating memories that will endure for generations. “Papa”, as he was known by his grandkids, brightened the lives of everyone he came in contact with.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Lucille Headding. Daughters Kris (Chris) Jensen of Sunnyside, Jo (Darrell) McGuire of Selah, Sons Michael (Cherie) Headding of Yakima, Kerry (Debbie) Headding of Plantation, Florida and Brian Headding of Yakima, Sister Loma Butler of Yakima, Brother Orville (Lauretta) Headding of Walla Walla, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Myrtle Headding, Sisters Margaret and Goldie, and brothers Fred, Pete, Ralph and Lloyd.

Our family would like to express our most sincere thanks to the Doctors, Nurses and support staff of Memorial hospital for the tremendous job they did in caring for Dad, and meeting the needs of our family during this most difficult time. The comfort that we received during his stay cannot be understated.

It was Dad’s request that there be no formal service. We will gather as a family in the spring to celebrate his life. Our family encourages donations in Dad’s name to the American Kidney Fund.