1932 – 2025
Arthur James Berger, beloved father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on April 8th at the age of 92, surrounded by his family.
Born in North Dakota in 1932, Arthur was the youngest of five boys raised just after the Great Depression. Though his family had very little in the way of material things, he often said he felt “wealthy beyond measure” because they had food on the table and the love of family. His strong work ethic was forged in those early years, as was his deep love of cooking, born from helping his mother prepare meals for the threshing crews — a passion he passed on to his children and grandchildren.
Arthur attended Marquette High School, where he earned recognition as a high school boxing champion and, at one time, held the Washington State record for the fastest knockout. Though he was offered athletic scholarships to Gonzaga (for boxing) and Oregon (for football), he chose a different path — jumping headfirst into the world of business.
With an entrepreneurial spirit and unmatched drive, Arthur built a life of purpose and legacy. He raised his children as a single father from the time they were toddlers, supporting their every pursuit and opportunity with unwavering love and dedication. He founded and ran many successful businesses throughout his lifetime, including a butcher shop, furniture and appliance store, carpet company, and multiple commercial real estate ventures.
But perhaps his proudest professional achievement was founding Valley Quality Homes and Valley Manufactured Housing 46 years ago with his close friend and business partner. Under Arthur’s leadership, the company became a cornerstone in Washington state, leading in manufactured home sales for over 30 consecutive years. His children and grandchildren proudly joined him in the business, continuing the legacy he worked so hard to build.
Arthur is survived by his three children: Jim Berger, Darin (Cassie) Berger, and Tisha (Brad) Busey, as well as six grandchildren: Katherine, Margaret, Darian (Jacob), Caroline, Mathew, and Sarah. He was preceded in death by his wife Barbara, his mother Agnes, his father John, and his four older brothers.
Arthur was a man of passion and grit — a spitfire who lived life on his own terms. He had a fierce love for his family, a talent for storytelling (especially the kind paired with a bowl of candy for the grandkids), and a zest for life that took him from pool halls to horse tracks, from boxing matches to the bright lights of Las Vegas. He supported young athletes, loved a good bar fight in his younger years, and was always, always planning his next move.
To know Arthur was to witness tireless devotion, fierce loyalty, and a mischievous sparkle in his eye. His legacy lives on in the family he adored and in the countless lives he touched through his work and friendship.
To everyone who knew him–he was one hell of a man.
