Thomas G. Arthur

1941 - 2021

Thomas G. Arthur

August 22, 1941 - April 3, 2021

Thomas G. "Tom" Arthur, 79, of Grand Junction, Colorado, died peacefully, April 3, 2021, at his home. His loving wife of 53 years, Shirley, dear friend Jeff Byrne, and his sheltie Sadie, were at his side. Tom had been in the care of Hope West Hospice.

Tom was born on August 22, 1941, in Sandusky, Ohio, to Albert and Juanita Arthur, growing up with brothers, William and Jim Arthur. Tom graduated from Sandusky High School in 1959. In high school, he served as a church acolyte and Youth Group president. Tom was also a Boy Scout in Troop 27, sponsored by Calvary Episcopal Church. Tom achieved the rank of Life Scout.

Tom graduated from Ohio Northern University in 1963, with a BS degree in Pharmacy. In 1976 he received a Master's of Science degree in Administration from Pepperdine University. Tom has always been a life-long fraternity member of Sigma Pi.

Tom's distinguished career began in Sandusky, Ohio at Kubach & Buderer/Medical Center Pharmacy. From there, Tom's career included positions as the Executive Director of the Colorado Pharmacist Association, Director of the Clinical Externship Program at the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy, Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan, and the Director of State Relations and Regional Director of Membership for the National Association of Retail Druggists. Tom's personal files reflect many letters from his students, thanking him for his mentor-ship, guidance, and support. Many of the letters credit Tom with positively shaping the individuals' professional and personal lives.

Tom met the love of his life, Shirley York, in Ohio and they married November 11, 1967. Shirley and Tom moved to Colorado in 1977, and began a long love affair with the Colorado Rockies, establishing a residence in Conifer, Colorado at an elevation of 9,900 feet. Together they hiked and camped all over Colorado seeking out the wildlife and wild flowers of the Rockies. Tom captured many of their trips in beautiful photographs. A personal contest developed between Shirley and Tom as they often took the same photograph to see who did a better job! No word on who won. They also developed a deep affection for the Southwest, its art, and native people, spending many of their vacations in Santa Fe, New Mexico and parts of Arizona. In 2001, Tom and Shirley retired to Grand Junction residing in a beautiful and welcoming home, until his death - with the spectacular back-drop of the Colorado National Monument. In retirement, Tom and Shirley traveled the United States extensively in their RV to many states and landmarks, wineries, and national parks, stopping along the way to see their many, many friends. Spring always meant a trip to Arizona to watch the Colorado Rockies tune up for the baseball season. As a Sandusky memorial, Tom and his brother, Jim, just recently purchased an Arthur family bench for Jackson Street Pier.

When not traveling, Tom volunteered his time at the Mesa County Sheriff's Office. For 13 years, as a member of the Citizens on Patrol ("COPS") team, he spent many days and nights protecting crime scenes, directing traffic, participating in National Night Out events every year, and being readily available for any MCSO activity or community crisis. He gamely slipped into the hot and uncomfortable "McGruff" costume (Take a bite out of Crime) to entertain the kiddos of Mesa County. In 2010, Tom was recognized by the Sheriff as the Citizen on Patrol Volunteer of the Year. He faithfully served the Mesa County Sheriff's Office through four Sheriff's administrations.

If you were lucky enough, you might have received one of Tom's personalized hand carved walking sticks. If you were lucky enough, you could call Tom, "friend." Tom's sense of humor was legendary, even in the last days of his life. During the COVID lock-down, many friends received daily jokes and funny videos from Tom via email, to brighten up their days. Most recently, the next door neighbor installing a new bath tub received a knock on the door, only to find Tom in his bathrobe, a towel around his neck, asking if the tub was ready!

Tom leaves behind his best friend and wife, Shirley; his sweet sheltie, Sadie; brother, Jim Arthur; sister-in-law, Carol Oetzel, and brother-in-law, Mike; numerous nieces and nephews; his loving "COP" comrades, and countless friends across the country.

Tom's family wishes to thank the wonderful people of HopeWest Hospice, particularly Nurse Kelly and CNA Kindall for their kindness and care. Additionally, many thanks to the neighbors and friends who stopped by or called with loving thoughts, flowers and food.

In Tom's way, he did not desire a memorial or funeral, expressing concern for people traveling from far away distances, in uncertain times. "After all, I will not know if you're there or not!" Tom's wish is to have his ashes mingled with the ashes of his former beloved pets, Bucky, Happy and Shelby, to fertilize a new tree, somewhere in the mountains of Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made, in his name, to HopeWest Hospice, or any wildlife or Native American organization.