Donald Charles Arthur

On August 19th, following years of declining health, Don was received into the loving arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ. Don was the embodiment of a true family man. His wife and children were his greatest joy in life. He loved God, and lived his life faithfully with integrity.

Donald Charles Arthur was the only child of Charles Earl Arthur and Grace Mertz Arthur. He was born on November 15, 1931 in the family home that his father and grandfather had built in New Kensington, Pennsylvania. While attending Plum Township High School, he worked part-time at this father’s service station, where he enjoyed attending to the maintenance of, and repairing many different models of automobiles. He graduated fourth in his class in 1949, then went to work for the Bell Telephone Company as a linesman until he decided to leave the company to serve his country and fight communism as the conflict in Korea began to expand.

Don joined the Army in the fall of 1952, and was stationed at Camp Chaffee in Arkansas. He was readily welcomed to serve as a member of the Army Rifle Team, as he had developed considerable shooting skills during his early years hunting pheasants in the hills around his home. He quickly ascended 4 tiers to the rank of Corporal, where his foresight and clear thinking propelled him into a critical position as a Weapons and Mine Instructor to train foot-soldiers how to identify and disarm booby traps and landmines. After the war, Don received an honorable discharge and returned home in October of 1954.

After returning to New Kensington, PA, he went back to work for Bell telephone. Don continued at Bell Telephone for several years and in 1957, enrolled in night classes at Penn Technical Institute to study electrical engineering. During that time, he met Carole Hudson, who also worked for Bell Telephone, at a company dance. Don and Carole were married on June 21, 1958. Shortly after Don graduated with his Technical Degree in Electronics from Penn Tech, he was recruited by IBM as an electrical engineer. In 1960 IBM moved his family to New York, to work at company headquarters in White Plains. IBM transferred Don to North Carolina in 1965. At that time, he and Carole had two daughters, Susan, and Jane. They built a home in Cary, and grew their family to include another daughter, Amy, and a son, Glenn. Don and Carole made Cary, NC their home for the rest of their lives.

After 31 years of service, Don retired from IBM in 1991. He continued to work at a number of jobs including faculty instructor in electronics at Wake Tech Community College, contractor at the US Postal Service to install and repair optical mail scanning machines, and also for the NC Dept. of Transportation repairing traffic signals.

Don was a talented musician who enjoyed playing guitar. He played often at home and performed professionally in many bands since he was a young man. Most notably, he was an original member of The Casablanca Orchestra, and played with the popular swing band for decades. Don shared his love of music and shooting sports with his children and grandchildren.

As a proud member of the US military and Lifetime Member of the NRA, Don was passionate about fighting to uphold the 2nd amendment for future generations.

Don was predeceased by his parents Charles and Grace Arthur, and his wife, Carole Hudson Arthur. He is survived by his daughters Susan Carter (Danny), Jane Mochrie (Steve), Amy Tew, and son Glenn Arthur (Tania); 6 Grandchildren: Kirk Mochrie (Veronica), Ethan Carter (Madison), Tara Copeland (Dwayne), Joshua Tew, Vivian Arthur and Oliver Arthur and Two Great Grandchildren; Victoria Mochrie and Sadie Carter.

In lieu of Flowers, donations may be made to Transitions LifeCare, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or the White Plains Methodist Church Food Pantry.