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David Arthurs Obituary
David S. Arthurs Sr., a Kansas raised newspaperman who adopted Citrus County as his home, died Monday, August 8, 2022 in Inverness. He was 92.
He is survived by two daughters and a son; Kevon Katherine Arthurs of Inverness; Sarah Eron Arthurs Fergis (Chris Fergis) of Phoenix, AZ; and David S. Arthurs, Jr. (Cris Arthurs) of Fort Walton Beach, Fl.
He is also survived by grandchildren and great-grandchildren including Austin and Alexis Fergis of Phoenix; Victoria and Andrew Arthurs of Fort Walton Beach; Fernanda Fergis-Valenzuela and her husband, Kevin Cabrera; and great-granddaughters Amilia Cabrera and Mackenzie Rose Vilceanu. One granddaughter, Raijanna Rose Morrow, is predeceased.
Arthurs was an entrepreneur, radio station founder, travel agency owner, banker, real estate investor and man about town. His most well-known enterprise was the Citrus County Chronicle, the small-community newspaper he purchased in 1964 (along with the Dunnellon Press) and then turned it into a booming publishing business. He eventually owned newspapers in Inverness, Crystal River, Beverly Hills, Dunnellon, Bushnell and Wildwood.
Arthurs was born April 6, 1930, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and moved to Atchison, Kansas, at a young age. He attended Kemper Military Academy and the University of Kansas, where he majored in newspaper entrepreneurship. He was in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict.
After completing his military service, Arthurs came to Florida where he worked for the John H. Perry Newspaper Company in both Delray Beach and Palatka, Florida. He served as Vice President of the large newspaper chain.
In 1964, he purchased the weekly Citrus County Chronicle and began a 20-year run as the publisher/owner of the paper. He grew the newspaper into the dominant publication in the region.
In 1980, he sold the newspapers to Landmark Community Newspapers Inc. and remained as publisher until 1984. Arthurs' leadership in journalism was well-known. He served as president of the Florida Press Association. In 1983, the Chronicle was named best community newspaper in the state of Florida.
Until the time of his death, he was Publisher Emeritus of the Chronicle.
Arthurs was equally involved in the radio business in central Florida. He owned WTRS radio in Dunnellon for many years. He later was one of the founding partners with WXOF.
His support of radio carried over to the University of Florida where in 2002 he created the David S. Arthurs Family Public Radio Endowment. His efforts with the school of journalism led to the creation of the PBS public radio station WJUF based in Inverness.
He operated Accent Travel in Inverness for many years and once started the restaurant "Murphy's" with his long-time business partner and friend, Clerk of the Court Walt Connors.
Arthurs was well-known for his strong community involvement. He helped organize the 1976 U.S. Centennial Celebration in Citrus County and in conjunction with the patriotic events he published "Back Home" the official history of the county by Hampton Dunn.
He served as president of the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce and was involved with many civic and community events. His was active in the cultural affairs of the county and helped the Art League start the annual Festival of the Arts on the Courthouse Square in Inverness. He volunteered with the city of Inverness on its redevelopment design and assisted the county historical society at the old courthouse.
Arthurs remained active in his home town of Atchison, Kansas, where he served on the board of Blish-Mize, a major hardware distribution company in a 13-state region. In Atchison, he is survived by his brother John H. Mize Jr. and sister Courtney M. Laurie. David was preceded in death by his mother Katherine S. "Girley" Mize, and stepfather John H. Mize Sr., brother Truman Arthurs, and sister Joanie Arthurs.
A memorial service is planned Saturday, Aug. 20, at 2 p.m. at the Calvary Chapel in Inverness right next to the Charles Davis Funeral Home on U.S. 41 in Inverness.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the David S. Arthurs Family Public Radio Endowment at University of Florida or the United Way of Citrus County at 1582 N. Meadowcrest Blvd, Crystal River, FL 34429.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for David Arthurs
Faith Kendrick
August 19, 2022
My introduction to David Arthurs occurred the first week in January many years ago. He walked into the Accounting Department at the Citrus County Chronicle and I asked how I might assist him to which he responded, "Do you not know who I am?´ "No", I replied. He went on, "Do you know why I am here?" and my response was, "Since I do not know who you are, how could I possibly know why you are?" I had been at the paper for just over 2 weeks.
While ours was a professional relationship at first, over time David and I became friends. The fact is a time came when I really needed a listener, an encourager, an empathizer...even a partner in crime at times. David became all that to me. We had good times, good laughs, and wonderful conversations. Over the years, we enjoyed preparing and feasting on glorious meals and dinner at the Lodge on occasion. There were late evening snacks, coffee at the coffee house or ice cream at the Ice Cream Doctor, listening to the radio - rather than watch a TV that only played the ant races - and pranking one another to which he often gained the upper hand. I am forever grateful for the memories I have of the times spent with my friend. Rest in peace, David.
To David's family and friends I offer my deepest sympathy.
The Kemper Oldboy Network
August 16, 2022
Godspeed Old Boy, a grateful generation honors you.
John Downs,LtCol,USA,Ret.
August 15, 2022
On behalf of all Kemper Old Boys, I would like to extend to the family and friends of David our most sincere and heartfelt sympathies. He was instrumental in helping to build a strong and viable organization of alumni after Kemper Military School closed. Today, Kemper Military School survives through an organization called Echo Company, Kemper Military School, largely thanks to his inspiring leadership, guidance and support. I am thankful I had the honor of meeting him, sharing his humor and learning from him. All of us within the Kemper community will miss the thoughtful recollections of his cadet days at Kemper. I am personally deeply saddened upon his passing and will always be thankful for having his friendship.
John T Downs,LtCol,USA,Ret.
Adjutant, Echo Company, Kemper Military School
Kim DeVane
August 14, 2022
When I remember David Arthurs, I remember him post Chronicle. My first business interaction w/ him was probably when "Murphys" was coming to life and my dad's company was doing the electrical work. Later on we wired a house that David was building in Inverness and a spec home on a Woodlands Estate lot and I hired the builder - knowing that his financial backing was David - to build the same house for me! I'm sure I was able to afford that house due to the patience Frank had for the process and David had for the overrun costs! In later years when Mike and I were looking for some real estate financing, we wound up w/ Nature Coast Bank (Drummond today) thanks to Curtis and Gerry. But I always knew David sat on the board and he would not have loaned us the money had he not believed we were moving in the right direction in life. I've just always thought of David as a silent mentor, genuinely interested in my success and always there behind the scenes observing from a one degree of separation. That degree of separation narrowed when we learned that David was good friends' w/ a name I would have heard for 20 years prior and surprised to find that Embeth was a Citrus countian now, too! Embeth was the mother of one of the kids Mike went to school with in Lynnfield, MA. We arranged a lunch date to meet w/ Embeth and David for what turned out to be a great lunch! Our community has more threads in the fabric thanks to David and I for one will be eternally grateful for whatever I imagine David's part in it was for me!
RIP Mr Arthurs, RIP.
Jonathan D Mize
August 13, 2022
Uncle David will be missed!
Love to all.
- Jonathan
Pat
August 13, 2022
For almost 30 years, David has been a member of "The Monday Night Gang," a small group of friends who meet for dinner at different restaurants in the area most Monday nights. We will miss him terribly.
Theresa
August 13, 2022
I worked at the Citrus County Chronicle from 74 to 79. I worked in the darkroom/plateroom. I remember David had his Son work with me about a week so he can become familiar with the business and how things went. I also remember his Daughter Kevon would drop by now and then. I have fond memories of this old time newspaper business and how much work it was it get one paper out the door. He lived a good long life. R.I.P.
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