Obituary: Arthur Lee Converse

June 17, 1921 - Jan. 22, 2012 WWII Veteran

Arthur (Art) Converse passed away peacefully on Jan. 22, 2012 with his son Arthur Tracy Converse and daughter-in-law Mary Converse by his side.

Art is preceded in death by parents George and Grace Converse, wife Ruth (Born) Converse, sister Jackie Klimke, brother Gilbert Converse and grandson Michael Converse.

Surviving family members include sons George and Arthur (Tracy) Converse; sister Mary Hardin, daughters-in-law Samantha (Fox) and Mary Converse; grandchildren Chad, Haley, Jessica Converse and David Fox Simpson; great grandchild Cheyenne Fitz and Zane Cook; nephews Arthur Crawford and Kenny Converse; nieces Judy (Converse) Rojas and Karen (Klimke) Scott; and second wife Kathleen (Orndoff) Converse.

The first-born child of George G. Converse and Grace (Swiger) Converse, Art was born in Talihina, Okla. on June 17, 1921. Upon Art's third year, the Converse family moved to Newton Kansas and then to La Honda, Colo., where Art's father supervised a farm and a dairy for the Santa Fe Railroad (Harvey Houses).

In 1927, the family moved to Chino Valley, Ariz. (former Fort Whipple) to manage the 3,521 acre Del Rio Rancho for the Santa Fe Railroad. The ranch shipped water, and raised cattle, turkeys, chickens and livestock feed to support the Harvey Houses situated along the railway from Alabama to California along with the Grand Canyon El Tovar Hotel and village. The mules used to transport tourist down the Grand Canyon spent their winters on the ranch. Life for Art on the ranch gave him many adventures as an Arizona cowboy. Art attended high school in nearby Prescott, where he met his future wife, Ruth N. Born. Art excelled in sports and with his parents' decision to allow him to live in town, was able to participate in sports. He was inducted into the Prescott High School Hall of Fame for the years 1937-1940. During summer vacations Art worked as a trail guide at the Grand Canyon, he told many hilarious stories of his guests. One trip, Art guided a photographer into the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, whose photos would later show Art in one of the short films distributed to our troops during WWII. Art attended State Teacher's College (later Northern Arizona University), Flagstaff, Ariz. majoring in biology and physical education.

Upon America entering WWII, Art enlisted into the U.S. Army on June 15, 1942 at the basic rank of Private as part of the 81st Infantry Wildcat Division at Camp Rucker, Ala. and was assigned to Company E of the 323 Infantry. During basic training, he was assigned duties as a Squad Leader in the Second Platoon until Jan. 14, 1944, then promoted to Technical Sergeant with duties as Platoon Sergeant. Promoted to First Sergeant on Oct. 18, 1945 and Honorable Discharged on Nov. 29, 1945. Art was then assigned to the USMC reserves for two years (E Company, 13th Infantry Battalion) with Honorable Discharge on July 13, 1948. Art was wounded during the battle of Peleliu Island of the Palau Group on Nov. 20, 1944. Art did not talk of the war, but did relay that upon removal from the Philippines he was the highest ranking soldier for his company. The Navy commanders offered him officer quarters, which Art declined so he could stay with his men, but he did accept the dinner invitation once he found out they were serving ice cream. He relished ice cream to his last days. Art received the following medals: Purple Heart, Bronze Star (battle), WWII Victory, American Campaign, Good Conduct, Asiatic Pacific Campaign and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon.

Art continued his education at the University of Arizona and married his high school sweetheart (Ruth N. Born). He received his degree in Animal Husbandry and was an outstanding football player for the Arizona Wildcats, winning the Governor's Cup (most outstanding college football player for the state of Arizona, 1948). After college, he had the opportunity to play professional football for the New York Giants or the Chicago Bears, but after much discussion with his wife and former college coach, Art elected to enter the banking industry.

His banking career was with 1st National Bank of Arizona which was later acquired by Wells Fargo. He started in Yuma, Ariz. In 1955, as he worked his way up the ladder he became manager in Safford, Ariz., where he stayed for nine years. During this time, he also became part owner of the Double Bar Y Ranch near Lordsburg, N.M. In 1966, Art was promoted to Main Branch Manager in Yuma, Ariz. and eventually Area Vice President for Yuma County. While working in Yuma, Art enjoyed golf, water skiing on the Colorado River and fishing in the Gulf of California (San Felipe and El Gulfo). Art also served as President of the Yuma County Fair, the Silver Spur Rodeo, Director of Chamber of Commerce and was involved with negotiations between the local farmers and Ceaser Chavez during labor disputes in the late 1960s. Art finished his banking career as Area Vice President of the White Mountains - Pinetop Area, Ariz., where he also served on the board for the White River Apache Indians (Sunrise Skiing, logging, cattle and casino endeavors) and retired from the bank on Aug. 1, 1986.

After caring for his wife Ruth, who had Alzheimer's, until her death in 1984, Art met and married Kathleen Orndoff in 1987. They shared a summer home in Pinetop and were members of the White Mountains Golf and Country Club and a winter home on the Saddlebrooke Golf Course in Tucson, Ariz. Art lived his remaining 10 months in the home of his youngest son Arthur Tracy Converse and wife Mary.

All are invited to the Celebration for Art's life to be at 2 p.m. on Feb. 18, 2012, at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, 1550 S. 14th Ave., Yuma, Ariz. (928) 782-5155, reception immediately following.

Information provided by survivors.