Arthur Thomas Sturgess

Arthur Thomas Sturgess, "Art", or "Sonny" to his family, was 88 years old on January 1, 2012, and left this world two weeks later on Monday January 17, 2012. No one ever convinced him that the New Years celebration was not for his birthday. Born in Rainier Oregon to Arthur Rolley and Ada Marie Sturgess in 1924, he lived for the next 30 years in Sacramento, then moved to Walnut Creek, California. Art ended his 5 decades in Walnut Creek at the same Kaiser Hospital that saw the birth of his youngest son in 1958. Time finally took its toll on his cardiopulmonary system. Growing up in Sacramento California with dozens of cousins, aunts and uncles, "Sonny" enlisted in the military during WW II. He tried unsuccessfully to dissuade his only brother, Edward , from enlisting, but luckily they both came home alive. Art saw action with the 96th Infantry Division and earned a Purple Heart for wounds received during the liberation of Leyte, an occupied island in the Philippines. He described his military career as trying to keep up, and a fear of falling behind. He earned recognition for saving a fellow soldier's life by traversing hostile fire to summon a medic. After completing his service and receiving an Honorable Discharge, Art benefited from the GI Bill to become the first Sturgess to graduate from college. A BS in Accounting earned at UC Berkeley led to a forty year career as a state auditor that took him to every prison in California , through the explosive growth of Contra Costa County and Bay Area as Manager of Systems Accounting, and closed with his retirement as Payroll Manager for his Alma Mater, handling the largest University payroll system in the State of California. He was heard to remark how the learned ladies and lecturing gentlemen of the socially conscious education profession could be quite concise when asking about their personal paychecks. During his years as a student at UC Berkeley, Art met his soul-mate and wife of over 60 years, Audrey Jane Sturgess (Creim). Married on November 7, 1948, in Sacramento CA, the two Cal Bear graduates remained in the same area for all their lives. Their common interests of family camping, church membership, yard and garden maintenance, travel, elder hostels, adult education, and natural history spanned decades and continents. Doing his part as a serious member and treasurer of community groups (John Muir Association) St Paul's Episcopal Church in Walnut Creek, and President of service organizations (Kiwanis), professional organizations (Associated Systems Management ), and a non-serious member of a bowling league (consistent last place), Art and Audie enjoyed an extensive network of friends, associates, and relatives. Their patronage of the performing arts included membership in the American Conservatory Theatre and local symphonies Art had his own religious philosophy best described as "creative". His earnest search for the meanings of life and love and duty can only be described as a work in progress at the time of his death. An avid reader and conversationalist, he expressed regrets, prayed for understanding, was pleased to have lived so long as to enjoy his blessings, and to be humbled by his failures. He both loved and won, and loved and lost. He accepted both. He is survived by four children, Thomas Wilton Sturgess (Heather) of New Zealand and Santa Barbara., James Arthur Sturgess (Patti)of Centennial Colorado, Linda Marie Buck (Nick) of Chico California, and Mark Allen Sturgess (Frances) of Walnut Creek, California. These four children gave Art and Audie ten grandchildren: Sarah, Daniel, Laura, Jonathan, Steven, Benjamin, David, Margaret, Nicole, Mariko. Art knew and loved them all. A burial service was held at Oakmont Memorial Park in Lafayette CA on Jan. 19, 2012. In attendance were some of his best and longest friends, college friends, family members, and special friends from Mount Diablo Unitarian Universalist church in Walnut Creek. The last words from Art's lips in this life was: "Give my love to my family". He then closed his eyes for the last time at midnight January 17, 2012. After he stopped breathing, his right eye twitched. His son swears it was a wink. He gulped life. A Memorial Service and Celebration of the life will be held at the Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church: 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek CA 94596 at 2:00 PM on Saturday February 4, 2012. Leslie Takahashi Morris Presiding. Memorial donations may be made to a homeless shelter of your choice, in honor of one of Art's relatives during the Depression, who was last known to be homeless, and hitch-hiking to Monterey from Sacramento. Submitted By: Mark Sturgess 1751 Mendota Way, Walnut Creek, CA 94597-2247 Ph (925) 937-7328