Gerald Arthur

Quiet, reserved and logical are trademark qualities that friends and family might use to describe Gerald Arthur. Gerald was an intuitive person. He was the type of person who could comfortably get lost in his thoughts, someone who had tremendous problem solving abilities. Always conscientious and focused on details, Gerald was a person who loved to imagine the possibilities of life.

      Gerald was born on April 4, 1951 at Huntington Cabel Hospital in Huntington, West Virginia. He was the son of Raburn Harold and Florine Goodman Arthur. He was raised in Huntington and Wayne, West Virginia. Gerald did not have to surround himself with people to be content. He was the type of person who enjoyed being alone rather than be part of a large crowd. He could be content for hours in some activity or be lost in his own imagination.

      Gerald was adaptable and had good listening skills which he would use to his advantage when it came to family life. He grew up with three siblings. He had Teresa, his older sister and two younger brothers, Vernon and Leonard. He rarely shied away from family discussions. He would debate with his siblings but if it turned into an argument, Gerald would often turn it into an agreement. In general, the family got along well and shared many memorable experiences.

      In grade school, Gerald gravitated toward others who shared similar interests and enjoyed academics more than physical activity. He was always curious about what made things work, and he would excel at the things that called more for "brain" power. Gerald took part in boxing. He was a Golden Gloves boxer and he was a Boy Scout. He delighted in the projects that required planning, exploration and solution. Gerald's memorable achievements included winning 12 trophies for boxing from the age of 14 to 17. As was evident by those who knew him, his most fun was to be found in books and in research.

      During high school, Gerald excelled at the challenge of learning and was especially good at taking tests and exams. He could delight more in problem solving than in the more routine school work. As long as the intellectual challenges kept coming, Gerald was happy. He attended Vinson High School in Wayne, WV. His favorite class in high school was woodworking.

      Although Gerald had a small group of friends, they were a close knit group and he enjoyed spending time with them. He liked to be able to engage them in discussions on the many topics he found interesting. Those who knew him well might describe Gerald as a good listener who could bring out a type of understanding from those around him that even surprised them. He was passionate in his commitments and would never intentionally hurt anyone. While growing up, some of his best friends were Donnie Fields and Emeral Arthur. Later in life, he became friends with Paul Krapes, Larry Steirmeyer and Mack Richardson

      Gerald finally found connection and fulfillment when on March 7, 1972; he exchanged wedding vows with Bonita Louise Williams at the Ceredo Baptist Church of Ceredo, West Virginia. Bonnie was influential in Gerald's life and brought a dimension of emotion and feelings to a man who mostly lived in his intellect. Gerald grew, blossomed and became more balanced because of their love and compassion.

      Gerald was a hard worker and a good provider who loved his family even though he wasn’t very demonstrative. Gerald was blessed with three children, two sons Scott and Jamie (Dennis) and daughter Hattie. They were also blessed with fourteen grandchildren and one great granddaughter, Destinee, Ashely, McKenzie, Donovan, Alyssa, Autumn, Kyle, Andrea, Elize, Billy, Dylon, Angel, Josh and Jennifer and great granddaughter Katelyn. Gerald's sense of fun was often unleashed in his puns and witty, intelligent quips. It delighted him when the children and grandchildren would banter back and forth with him in this brainy exchange of mind contests. The children always knew how much Gerald loved them.

      Finding the right type of job can be a challenge for anyone, but that was especially true for Gerald Arthur. He needed to find a career that would challenge him. Fortunately, he found a career path where he could use his natural intellect and his natural critical thinking skills. His primary occupation was as a carpenter. He was a self employed "Jack of All Trades". Gerald was a dedicated and valued employee and was respected by his colleagues for his ability to grasp and understand difficult concepts.

      Gerald was an Army Veteran. He was in the 82nd Airborn Division receiving his training in Ft Bragg. Gerald saw action for one year in Vietnam. Through his hard work and dedication, he achieved the rank of Private First Class. He received several awards including a he received his Airborn Wings and 5 awards. Gerald was an asset to the military system. He had the ability to appreciate the logic necessary to succeed in a regimented life style.

      Hobbies were more than fun for Gerald because he challenged himself to learn the theory behind the actual activity. Knowing how things worked was more incentive than just performing and completing the task. His favorite pursuits were playing billiards and chest. His real passion was working in his Garden.

      Gerald found great pleasure by relaxing and watching sports on TV or in person. He was an avid student of the game and enjoyed comparing his ideas and choices with what actually happened during the game. Even though he generally would keep his feelings to himself, Gerald would often use athletic events and sports as an outlet. In high school, Gerald played in the band and boxed in the Golden Gloves Arena. He also enjoyed just being a sports fan. Tops on his list were football and boxing.

      Friends and acquaintances usually viewed Gerald as the brains behind the operation and using this talent, he contributed a great deal to the many organizations to which he belonged. His own ability to adapt actually helped those around him to come up with creative approaches to a variety of situations. Gerald worked hard once he became committed to a goal, and he was a strong contributor whenever it came to the planning process. In high school, Gerald was a member of the band. Throughout his later years, Gerald was an active member of the VFW and the APA. He became a valued and a contributing member of each volunteer organization.

      Gerald's strong sense of faith helped him remain focused on the needs and concerns of others. These values brought him strength and helped to reinforce the importance of both his faith and the practice of his religion. He was a member Belvidere Heights Baptist Church. During that time, he played the guitar and sang in the Brothers in Spirit Gospel Group.

      Gerald was not a man who did things because he expected a reward in return. In fact, accepting recognition from others was sometimes difficult for him. People who served with Gerald recognized his quiet strength and his practical, logical, and discerning abilities. Still, he was awarded numerous honors throughout his life. Some of his most prestigious awards included his trophies for boxing in the Golden Gloves Arena.

      Travel was a luxury for Gerald and something that he took great pleasure in doing. Gerald was at his best in the planning stages, as he did research and learned all about the places that he would be visiting. He wasn't as fond of dealing with the actual organizing, but once he put together all of the information, he was more than happy to turn it all over to someone else and let them put together the itinerary. Favorite vacations included visiting the family farm.

      Gerald especially enjoyed time with his pets. He could spend hours in private thought, and his faithful companions would just sit by his side or in his lap. One of Gerald's favorites was Buster a mixed breed dog. They were best friends for 10 years. His family was rounded out by his parakeet Lucy.

      Gerald planned well for retirement so when it finally arrived in 1996, he was well prepared. He worked out many of the details in advance so that he could enjoy the time and not have to worry. His new life involved relocating to Grandview, Missouri. In retirement, he found new pleasure in gardening.

      Gerald Arthur passed away on December 17, 2009 at at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. He suffered a massive stroke. He is survived by wife Bonnie and children Scott, Jamie and Hattie and his 14 grandchildren and great granddaughter Katelyn; sister Teresa and brothers Vernon and Leonard. Services were held at McGilley and George Funeral Home in Grandview, MO. On tuesday December 22, 2009. He buried in Palestine Cemetery with Military Honors. Gerald was laid to rest in Palestine Cemetery in South Kansas City with Military Honors.

       Those who knew and loved Gerald will miss his quiet gentleness, his curiosity and his ability to often turn work situations into fun experiences. He leaves all those who knew him with many wonderful memories.