Gary D. Arthur 1950-2006

THORSON, ARTHUR

Posted By: michael (email)
Date: 12/28/2006 at 11:19:50

Gary Arthur went home to be with the Lord December 26, 2006 after a courageous battle with multiple myeloma.

The family will greet friends Friday from 4:00 to 8:30 pm at Parkview Church, 15 Foster Road, in Iowa City, . A Celebration of Gary’s Life will be held Saturday at 10:00 am at Parkview. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations to Parkview Church, the University of Iowa Holden’s Comprehensive Cancer Center or the Nature Conservancy. Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service in Iowa City is handling arrangements.

Gary David Arthur was born April 29, 1950 in Ottawa, Illinois, the son of Joseph and Margaret Arthur. He grew up in Joliet, Illinois, graduating from Joliet West High School. He was involved in scouting – attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. Gary received his bachelors degree in biology and his masters degree in plant and soil science from Southern Illinois University. He married Kathy Blase on November 9, 1974.

Gary spent most of his career employed by Holden’s Foundation Seeds in Williamsburg as a plant breeder, and later as president. For eleven years he worked at Holden’s research station in Whiteland, Indiana, returning to Williamsburg in 1995. After his retirement from Holden’s / Monsanto he worked in various consulting capacities. Gary’s accomplishments in the field of agriculture were many, and he valued the relationships he had with seedsmen across the country. While in Indiana he served as president of the Indiana Crop Improvement Association and the Indiana Seed Trade Association. He was awarded honorary membership in the Indiana Seed Trade Association in 1997. He served on many committees of the American Seed Trade Association and was awarded honorary membership in that organization in 2003, for long and outstanding service to the seed industry. In ASTA he served as 2nd vice chair and 1st vice chair and would have been the 2006-2007 chairman, when his illness prevented him from doing so.

Gary loved his work but he would want to be remembered as loving the Lord and loving his family. He was especially proud of his little grandson Eli. He was a member of Parkview Evangelical Free Church, where he served in ABF leadership and as an elder.

He is survived by his wife Kathy; son Brian and his wife Sarah, and grandson Elijah, all of Franklin, Tennessee; daughter Julie Wigle and her husband Zach of Ottumwa, Iowa; his mother Margaret and sister Mary Ross and her husband Edgar, all of Fountain Valley, California.

On-line condolences may be directed to www.lensingfuneral.com