Obituary of James Arthur

James Allen Arthur, 62 of Bedford, passed away Sunday, January 27, 2013 at his residence. He was born on Sunday, October 29, 1950 in Memphis, TN, a son of the late Allen Ward Arthur and Erma Faye Walls Arthur. Jim served eight years in the U. S. Air Force during the Vietnam era. He graduated from St. Leo College in Tampa, FL and was retired from ATT/Paradyne after twenty years of service. Jim was a substitute rural mail carrier in Huddleston having transferred from Tampa, Florida in 2005. He was a member of the Smith Mountain Lake Moose Lodge #2346 and the Fraternal Order of the Eagles in Moneta. Many of his fraternal brothers & sisters will remember Jim for his lifelong passion of singing and playing his guitar. He was referred to as "Little John Denver" by many of his musical buddies. Surviving is his wife, Donna G. Arthur; his daughters, Kristina Arthur of Bedford, Jennifer Soles & husband, Jimmy of Minot, ND. Jim was blessed with three grandsons, Tony Bianconi (21) Trevor Porterfield (17), Jordan Soles (12) and a granddaughter, Jasmin Soles (7). Surviving siblings are his brother, Joseph Arthur & wife, Suzanne of Valparaiso, FL and his sister, Janice Flowers & husband, Tim of Bedford. The family requests those wishing to make memorials to consider the American Cancer Society. 2316 Atherholt Road, Lynchburg, VA 24501 or the Smith Mountain Lake Moose Lodge, 1174 Morgans Church Road, Moneta, VA 24121. A celebration of life service for Jim will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 2 PM at Palestine Baptist Church, 9244 Smith Mountain Lake Parkway, Huddleston, VA 24104 with Rev. Don Hicks officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Huddleston.