Michael John MacArthur
1942 - 2026
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Michael John "Sandy" MacArthur, 83, passed away on February 18, 2026, in Carson, California. He was born on December 26, 1942, in Ashland, Wisconsin, to John MacArthur and Harriet Hendrickson MacArthur.
He graduated from William Kelley High School in Silver Bay, Minnesota class of 1960.
Michael leaves behind his husband, Philip Brown.
Michael is also survived by his brothers, John MacArthur and wife Allie of Panama and Joel MacArthur and his life partner Simona of Hemet, California. He is also survived by the two daughters of his sister, Lori Colvin and Julie Kranz and their families.
He also leaves behind two cousins, Candy Fleck and Wendy Scribner whom he loved like sisters.
He is predeceased by his sister, Kathy Helvig, as was his parents
One of the things he was most proud of was being the proprietor of a hair salon that bore his name in Lawndale, California for over forty years.
One of Michael's cherished pastimes was bowling with Debra Claytor and Cheryl McDavid, his dear friends, an activity that brought him much happiness through the years. He also cherished his friends Samuel and Leslie Pedroza and Todd Hermmans.
"We all will love you forever" stands as a poignant tribute to the lasting impact Michael had on those who knew him. May his memory bring comfort to all who mourn his passing.
Words of Michael MacArthur as printed in 2010
Silver Log
50th class reunion
William M Kelley High School
Silver Bay, Minnesota:
"My recollections of my school days begin when I was in the sixth grade; that's when I and my family moved to Minnesota. What was, then, the old school in Beaver Bay, is now the Green Door. Back then the older kids(5th and 6th grade) held classes in either the basement or the lunch room.
My 7th grade year I was bused to school in Two Harbors. By then, Beaver Bay was becoming a thriving little village, as a result of all the nearby construction such as the Reserve Mining building and the upcoming town of Silver Bay.
School for Beaver Bay area students was moved to Silver Bay when I started 8th grade. At first we roamed from house to house (I believe there were four) for classes. A year my class took residence at the newly opened William Kelley High School. Though in its youth, I was impressed by all the activities that ere made available to all the students. I was active in our school's band and I enjoyed parts in all the school plays.
The class of 1960, which I am proudly a member of, was only the second to graduate from William Kelley High School. I'd like to think we did it in style, though I must admit it was difficult saying good-bye to all my friends and classmates.
One of my fondest memories, during this time, is of me and Pat Skalski dancing on American Bandstand. We won twice and would have kept on winning if the show hadn't been suddenly cancelled---no, not because of our dancing!!
After graduation I went to work at Reserve. That lasted just a few years. I enrolled in beauty school in Duluth, at some point. After graduating I decided to move to Arizona. A year there was plenty, I packed my bags and moved to California.
Los Angeles was a very exciting place. I was just a small town boy in the big city in the heyday of the disco era! It was all so new and interesting . And I wanted to be a part of it---and I felt I was with my bell bottoms, platform shoes, and afro (YES! I sported a curly red afro).
After getting my cosmetology license set out a lifelong career styling hair. I worked for someone else for about four years, but, I am proud to say, was able to work for myself in my own shop for the past forty years.
The last few years I've been plagued with various medical issues. I've gone through three operations on my hip; the last one forced me to finally shut my shop doors.
All told, I've been having a good time and a good life. I'm comfortably retired, sharing a home with my legal spouse (yep a boy from Beaver Bay is now an official civil rights pioneer for the history books). Our family is completed by two dogs, Maggie and Lingh and a cat named Squirt a.k.a. Miss Kitty. Sorry I couldn't be there but I'm sending best wished to all."
He graduated from William Kelley High School in Silver Bay, Minnesota class of 1960.
Michael leaves behind his husband, Philip Brown.
Michael is also survived by his brothers, John MacArthur and wife Allie of Panama and Joel MacArthur and his life partner Simona of Hemet, California. He is also survived by the two daughters of his sister, Lori Colvin and Julie Kranz and their families.
He also leaves behind two cousins, Candy Fleck and Wendy Scribner whom he loved like sisters.
He is predeceased by his sister, Kathy Helvig, as was his parents
One of the things he was most proud of was being the proprietor of a hair salon that bore his name in Lawndale, California for over forty years.
One of Michael's cherished pastimes was bowling with Debra Claytor and Cheryl McDavid, his dear friends, an activity that brought him much happiness through the years. He also cherished his friends Samuel and Leslie Pedroza and Todd Hermmans.
"We all will love you forever" stands as a poignant tribute to the lasting impact Michael had on those who knew him. May his memory bring comfort to all who mourn his passing.
Words of Michael MacArthur as printed in 2010
Silver Log
50th class reunion
William M Kelley High School
Silver Bay, Minnesota:
"My recollections of my school days begin when I was in the sixth grade; that's when I and my family moved to Minnesota. What was, then, the old school in Beaver Bay, is now the Green Door. Back then the older kids(5th and 6th grade) held classes in either the basement or the lunch room.
My 7th grade year I was bused to school in Two Harbors. By then, Beaver Bay was becoming a thriving little village, as a result of all the nearby construction such as the Reserve Mining building and the upcoming town of Silver Bay.
School for Beaver Bay area students was moved to Silver Bay when I started 8th grade. At first we roamed from house to house (I believe there were four) for classes. A year my class took residence at the newly opened William Kelley High School. Though in its youth, I was impressed by all the activities that ere made available to all the students. I was active in our school's band and I enjoyed parts in all the school plays.
The class of 1960, which I am proudly a member of, was only the second to graduate from William Kelley High School. I'd like to think we did it in style, though I must admit it was difficult saying good-bye to all my friends and classmates.
One of my fondest memories, during this time, is of me and Pat Skalski dancing on American Bandstand. We won twice and would have kept on winning if the show hadn't been suddenly cancelled---no, not because of our dancing!!
After graduation I went to work at Reserve. That lasted just a few years. I enrolled in beauty school in Duluth, at some point. After graduating I decided to move to Arizona. A year there was plenty, I packed my bags and moved to California.
Los Angeles was a very exciting place. I was just a small town boy in the big city in the heyday of the disco era! It was all so new and interesting . And I wanted to be a part of it---and I felt I was with my bell bottoms, platform shoes, and afro (YES! I sported a curly red afro).
After getting my cosmetology license set out a lifelong career styling hair. I worked for someone else for about four years, but, I am proud to say, was able to work for myself in my own shop for the past forty years.
The last few years I've been plagued with various medical issues. I've gone through three operations on my hip; the last one forced me to finally shut my shop doors.
All told, I've been having a good time and a good life. I'm comfortably retired, sharing a home with my legal spouse (yep a boy from Beaver Bay is now an official civil rights pioneer for the history books). Our family is completed by two dogs, Maggie and Lingh and a cat named Squirt a.k.a. Miss Kitty. Sorry I couldn't be there but I'm sending best wished to all."
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