Arthur L. McCapes

Arthur “Art” was born in Reedley, California in a 2-room house to Livie Blanch Ray McCapes, and Arthur Linwood McCapes Sr. He was the only boy of 4 children and the second to the youngest child. At the age of 9, Art lost his father in an auto accident, so he grew up being the only male in the household. He only completed the 8th grade, and really had no clear direction; so in 1948, at the age of 17 and with written consent from his mother, he joined the U.S Navy where he spent his 5 year career primarily aboard the USS Mount McKinley as a Boatwain’s mate, 3rd Class (1st Division, BM-3). During that time, the Korean War began, and his crew hosted General McArthur aboard ship. They were also at the Eniwetok Atom Bomb Test site, and they witnessed the first and only 20 minute flight of Howard Hughes’ “Spruce Goose”. After leaving the Navy, Arthur became a truck driver for a freight company called Sterling Transit, where he was employed for 32 years until the day they closed their doors. Following that, he became a freelance driver, and drove for various companies until he retired at the age of 72. At that time, Art and his wife of 44 years, Alice, bought their retirement home in Hemet, California, where he remained active by swimming in the clubhouse pool most afternoons, donating his time to several community functions, and volunteering at the American Legion Hall on BINGO nights. After his wife passed away in 2017, Art decided that he didn’t want to live alone, so he and his step daughter, Tamme and her husband, Bradley, moved in together so that he would have someone to care for him as he got older and more dependent. During his final days, he was surrounded by family, and passed peacefully as he listened to stories being told about his life.

Arthur was preceded in death by his parents, Livie and Arthur McCapes; his sisters, Annabelle Peter and Flora Cocleasure; his wife, Alice McCapes; and his children, Alan Lee McCapes, Luranna Jacob, and Lea McCapes.

Arthur is survived by his oldest sister, Elizabeth (Betty) Livingston, age 95; his children, Arthur Linwood (Lin) Mccapes III (and wife, Micky), Alfred Lyle McCapes (and wife Paula); step children, James Alan Larsen (and Wife JoAnn), Tamra Lynne Wilkenson (and husband Bradley), and Ronald Martin Larsen (and wife Barbara); his thirteen grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 25, 2023 at 1:00PM at Miller-Jones Mortuary in Hemet, California. Inurnment will be held privately at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California.