John A. McArthur
Obituaries
Steamboat Pilot and Today - October 29, 2018
John's memorial service is set for Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 4:pm at Saint Matthias Episcopal Church, 18320 Furrow Road, Monument, CO 80132. As per John's request, he donated his body and then will be cremated. He will be buried next to his parents and sister in a very small cemetery in Benham, KY at a later date.
Steamboat Pilot and Today - October 29, 2018
"I’m proud to be American and strong in my beliefs
And I've said it before but I will say it again
'Cause my family’s always fought and died to save this land
AND A COUNTRY BOY WILL SURVIVE".
John was born April 25, 1965 in Benham, Harlan County, KY. He was the youngest of 6 children. From an early age, John knew all too well that coal ran his hometown; the unions ran the mines and the very lucky made it out of Harlan County, to survive.
The Yiddish word, "Beshert" is defined as "given, inevitable and preordained". In layman’s terms, it is best defined as having found your soulmate. On December 12, 1992, John and Ann found their "besherts" in each other-at a country bar in Woodland Hills, CA. One year later, December 1, 1993, we eloped to Las Vegas and married in a drive through wedding chapel. Elvis Presley was not present.
John was able to put a smile on anyone’s face. He knew how to fix a boiler during a phone conversation. His friend Dan O’Brien of Steamboat Springs told me that "under John’s quiet demure and silence, laid the mind of a genius.". Those who worked with John in Steamboat Springs knew all too well that no problem too big that couldn’t be solved by "Johnny Mac".
…A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing…
John joined the United States Navy as a SeaBee. He was part of the NMCB35, whose homeport was Port Hueneme, CA, During John’s military service, he saw the world, From YAP in Micronesia to the Adak Islands that stretch out into the frigid Alaskan water, John made many, many life time friends with his Navy buddies.
It was after John’s service ended that he began working for the City of Port Hueneme. The freedom of hitting the surf after work, experiencing long, ride able waves, sunsets and fresh air, John then learned to love CA. He met Ann, his wife of 25 fun filled, never a dull moment "beshert”years. Along with his step daughter Eryn Corry (34) and step son Bryan Scott (32), the family enjoyed spending time at the beach, surfing, traveling and solving math homework.
After the large "Northridge Earthquake" John & Ann moved to Steamboat Springs. Shoveling snow is certainly different than sand. Cold winters proved to be heaven for John, who immediately took to snowmobiling. Next thing you knew, John had joined Routt County Search & Rescue, Not too long after that, he began working as a law enforcement officer for Routt County/Steamboat Springs. There were never dull moments-Remember the Rainbow People?
John worked for various plumbing outfits before settling with M & N Plumbing off Downhill Drive. It was there that John was able to make a real difference. He was able to help trouble shoot problems for other plumbers, assist in finding solutions, doing CAD drawings for boiler systems in many of the lucky homes in Steamboat. One of his best 'friends, Phil Taber, often relied upon John’s expertise in finding the problem in situations that might arise, usually on a Friday, late, during a Steamboat winter of -20.
John joined the NTI team from NewBrunswick, Canada in 2014. John loved his job. He was an asset to the Hudderite Colonies, to farmers in small Canadian towns, as well as creating and then teaching/tutoring hundreds of plumbers, engineers. home builders as well as fellow co- workers. He worked tirelessly, even on his limited days off and vacation time to be of assistance almost 2¢hours a day.
"They are dead; but they live in Patriot’s breast,
And their names are engraven on honor’s brightest crest."
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
John leaves behind his beshert Ann Corry, wife of 25 years, his stepdaughter Eryn Corry, stepson Bryan Scott, daughter in law, Rebecca and a 7 y/o grandson. He leaves his brothers Steve (Char) and Jimmy (Jim D), Sister in law Phyllis, nephews Rob (Lynn), Ron (Amy), Jeff; Sheila, Melissa (Jason) Matthew (Antoinette), Uncle Earl Burns, Aunt Ann Hawkins, Aunt MaryLou Roberts. Numerous grand nieces and nephews; too many to count, but just as important,
He is preceded into death by his parents, James Trig & Ms. Juanita, his grandparents on both side, his brothers Dennis (USAF), Walter (USAF), sister Rena, nephew James McArthur, Father in law & mother-in law, Peter & Joan Gartlan, step-grandson Michael Ryan, Grandmother-in-love, Mrs. Patty May, who he adored as she did him. And many many friends, including special mention of Travis Taber.
THE PROMISE
Across the years I will walk with you-
In deep, green forests; on shores of sand;
And when our time on earth is through
In heaven, too, you will have my hand
In lieu of flowers we ask: please donate to Combat Wounded Coalition 1220 Executive Blvd., Suite 109 Chesapeake, VA 23320 75 70773-8079
freedom@cwcww.org (22/day Veterans commit suicide. Lets lower that statistic).
