Arthur Costan

1947 - 2025

Arthur George (Art) Costan, 78, passed away at his home in Forest, Virginia on November 27, 2025. Born in Asheville, N.C. on May 14, 1947, to Gladys and George Costan, Art grew up in Lynchburg. As a child, Art enjoyed playing games and sports of all sorts with his brother, Jay, and neighborhood friends. At age 12 or 13, he learned to play golf, an activity that would help shape the rest of his life. Years later Art would often comment on how extremely fortunate he was to have had such an idyllic childhood. He thought he had grown up in "kid heaven." At E.C. Glass, Art was the captain of the newly-formed golf team. After graduation in 1965, he attended Hampden Sydney College, graduating in 1969 with a major in history. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Subsequently, Art served his country, joining the U.S. Army and serving tours in Korea and Germany. Art's lifelong passion for American history, especially the Civil War, then led him to enroll in the Master's program at Virginia Tech. He received his M.A. in history in 1974.

Although he considered a career in teaching history, Art chose instead to go to work for his father at Colonial Hills Golf Course. He soon became devoted to furthering what he saw as the "mission" of Colonial Hills: to be an affordable golf course where all members of the community would be welcome. Art became the owner of the course in 1980. Although well aware of the monetary value of the property, Art was determined to continue the legacy begun by his father of providing "an affordable golf course, open to all." Owning a business presented numerous, sometimes severe, challenges, but the compensation was well worth any difficulties: First, he could play golf whenever he wanted. Second, the off-season allowed him time to paint and over the years become an accomplished landscape artist. The proceeds from the sale of his paintings always went to charity. Third, as owner of Colonial Hills, he could let his dogs-Art always had dogs-have the run of the golf course. No golfer's lunch was safe from his dogs, which were as opportunistic as they were loveable.

Art's son, Marshall, whom he raised as a single father, was the pride of his life. They shared a love of heavy metal music and spent hours together discussing the affairs of the day, eating chili, and then listening to music at what Art admitted was a dangerously high decibel level. Time spent with Marshall was precious to Art. In 1994, Art married Ellen Smith Mason. He would often remark that he had nothing but fond memories of this time in his life. Somehow -- no one is quite sure how-Art turned Ellen into an avid Hokie fan. On game day she would be decked out in orange and maroon, screaming at the referees right along with her husband. Anyone who was fortunate enough to be invited to their home would be treated to an evening of laughter, fabulous food, and lively conversation. Art looked upon Ellen's daughter, Lara, as his own and upon Lara's son, Jay, as a grandson.

Art was a voracious reader. In addition to American history, he had a keen interest in national affairs and the history of Christianity. Readers of the local newspaper will recall his many letters to the editor in each of these areas. Art felt compelled to say what he believed to be true. From an early age, he followed his "own lights" and was no friend of conformity for the sake of conformity. His "own lights" led him to stand up for whatever he thought was right and to do what he could for those in need. He regularly volunteered his labor to Habitat for Humanity and his counsel to the Board of the YMCA. His "own lights" also led him to take in dogs in need of rescue-- no matter the cost-and to let them run (wild) on the golf course. No dogs had better lives.

Art's life was set apart by the sheer number of people who called him their friend. Art did not just have friendships, he maintained them, some going back to earliest childhood. Everyone-male and female-- received the same greeting: "What's happening, brother?" followed by a crushing hug and his booming laugh. Those who played golf regularly with him-his "golfing buddies"--knew that for Art it was not really about the golf; it was about the friendship. Art cherished his friends and they cherished him. All will be better off for having known him and all will miss him terribly.

A life-long and active member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Art often led young adult and adult Sunday School discussions, usually about the application of Christianity to current affairs. Art was less concerned about church doctrine than he was the moral teachings of Jesus, taking the view that what people do with their lives matters more than what they believe.

Art was predeceased by his parents, his oldest sister Alice (Boo), and his wife, Ellen. An earlier marriage to Lynn McAleer ended in divorce. In addition to his son, Marshall, Art is survived by his sisters, Georgellen Easter of Lynchburg and Ann Marie Vinson of Charlottesville and by his brother, Jay of Washington, DC, and many nieces and nephews.

A service of remembrance will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Art's memory to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, the Lynchburg YMCA, or Lynchburg Habitat for Humanity.