Salinas

Arthur "Art" McDole

Arthur "Art" McDole, 93, of Salinas, passed away Wednesday, April 13, 2011. He was born April 3, 1918, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Arthur and Iva McDole.

Art was raised in Minturn, Colorado, where he graduated from high school first in his class and worked as a carpenter and cabinet maker.

Art married his high school sweetheart, Mary Cline, in April 1940. They moved to Salinas in 1942, where Art worked at Salinas Planning Mill, then went to work for Coin-a-Matic repairing jukeboxes. Art was always interested in radio and in 1949 he was hired by Sheriff Jack McCoy at the rank of Sergeant, to build and install radios in the Sheriff's cars, and handle radio communications. Art rose to the rank of Captain before leaving the Sheriff's Dept. to head a new County Communications Department, creating a consolidated dispatch center in 1969 in the basement of the new North Wing of the Courthouse. In his new department, Art also headed the Office of Emergency Services (OES) and Telecommunications Division, as well as served as a volunteer firefighter, member of the search and rescue team, assisted the Civil Air Patrol, and worked with the MAST helicopter rescue program at Fort Ord.

In 1972, Art worked with State Assembly Member Charles Warren to draft and pass the Warren 911 act, which requires counties to answer the new emergency number and created the telephone surcharge that still pays for the infrastructure and answering equipment in local Communications Centers; and with State assistance built the first countywide 911 system in the nation in January 1975. In 1988, he built the first countywide enhanced E911 system in California. Art also created and installed the Alert system still used by the Water Resources Agency (WRA) to remotely monitor water levels throughout the County. Art retired in 1990 after 41 years of service and continued working as a volunteer with WRA, OES, and APCO.

Art was a lifelong Ham radio operator, call sign W6WJM, member of the Radio Club of America, member of the Monterey County Peace Officers Association, charter member of Northminster Presbyterian Church, member Masonic Lodge, SIRS #56, and a Life Member of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO), serving for more than 50 years as a Frequency Coordinator for Northern California - a job he continued to perform until one month before his death at age 93. His work with APCO and the FCC spanned decades, technologies and regulatory upheavals. APCO's highest award for technical excellence is the Art McDole Award.

In his free time, Art was an avid outdoorsman, hunter, fisherman, and member of the German Short Hair Dog Club, through which he participated in many field trials.

Art was a spellbinding story-teller with many great personal stories to tell. He will be sorely missed. A two hour video of Art's life - his history and stories captured for posterity and interviews with colleagues - was thankfully made in 2006. It is available for viewing at http://www.share-a-vision.com/mcdole_video.html

Art was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary and sister, Idabeth McDole.

He is survived by his son, Gary of Berkeley; daughter, Maridee of Arizona and Chilean daughter, Maggie of Florida; sister, Jane (Harold) Black of Salinas; brother-in-law, Jim Cline of Wolcutt, Colorado; one great- grandchild; a host of grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, and a legion of dear friends and colleagues.

A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 315 E. Alvin Drive, at McKinnon, Salinas, 93906.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the APCO Historical Archive (386) 322-2500 or [email protected], or Northminster Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund (831) 449-2717, or a charity of your choice. Friends are encouraged to leave messages of condolence at http://mcdole.share-a-vision.com

Funeral arrangements by Struve and Laporte Funeral Home,

Online condolences to www.struveandlaporte.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Salinas Californian on Apr. 21, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Arthur McDole

12 Entries

Timothy warren

October 27, 2021

I got to.meet Art McDowell at our church in Prunedale ,CA. In warly 1970 or so him and his sister Idabeth Mcdile attended many many times. E shared stories of him starting the 911 system in Monterey County I think it was the first 911 center around. I have fond memories of Art and his sister Idabeth McDowell. Very fine upstanding christains.

David Cook

April 15, 2020

If there was ever a 'legacy in your own time', it was Art. He had an uncanny memory, absorbed details and shared his knowledge. While a whiz at communications, he led an interesting and full filling life. He was a national leader in the '911' emergency programming field. But. best of all, he was my 'friend'.

Bud Cook

May 2, 2011

It was my priviledge to work with Art McDole in a variety of capacities over a 35 year period. He was truly a radio/communication wizard. He was known nationally for his work. Probably one of the most honest and straight forward people I've ever known. He had my upmost respect. A fine gentleman. Bud Cook, Sheriff (ret)

April 28, 2011

Scotty: Pete accidently erased your email and/or address or telephone number. Please get in touch....Jackie

Jackie (Pihl) Jorgensen

April 25, 2011

Art knew me before I knew him. (I was a baby when my Father was a friend of his.) My Dad was a Deputy Sheriff for better than 30 years and had nothing but respect for Art. Please accept my deepest sympathy at the loss of this great man.

April 23, 2011

I remember you fondly, you were so patient with all my questions about the dispatch center. It was my privilege to
work with you through the County and the City - Police force.
Pat (Leon-Guerrero) Bischof

Norcliff Wiley

April 22, 2011

I was 9 years old when I first met Art McDole. Art was the president of the Monterey Bay Area Amateur Radio Club, which met at the county health department training room in those days. He let me pick out the tickets for the club raffle each month from the official coffee can. My dad, K6TEH, also took me with the club on the June field days atop Fremont's Peak each year, where Art taught to say, " CQ, CQ, CQ..CQ Field Day...This W6UCS...Whisky 6 Uncle Charlie Sugar....calling CQ, CQ, CQ..CQ Field Day...and standing bye"

It was also my great pleasure to able work with Art throughout my career in the fire service. My prayers go to the family. Art was a great man among men and a great human being.

(... _._)

April 22, 2011

I am honored to have worked for Art in the dispatch center that He created. A truly great man who will be missed by all.
My thoughts and condolences to the Mcdole family.
Steve Jarvis

Paul Scott

April 22, 2011

I knew and worked around and for Art for over 40 years in the fields of public service,emergency communications and amateur radio. Art did more for radio communications in Monterey County than anyone can imagine. Art lived a life well lived and will be missed by many. My prayers to the McDole family.

Paul F. Scott

Joe Johnson

April 21, 2011

I met Art through a professional affiliation but it took less than a minute for us to become friends. His warmhearted smile and genuine laugh let you know that he realy enjoyed your company. I will miss our talks.

Kimberly

April 21, 2011

I have so many wonderful memories of Art. I worked with him for many years. He was one of the greatest men I have ever met in my life. He has left all of us in the ALERT community with a lot memories. He will be so missed by all of us. My thoughts and prayers to the McDole family.

Bryan M Laws

April 21, 2011

My thoughts and prayers to Mr. McDoles family. It was an honor for me to have worked for him

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