Arthur Lee "Art" Pertile III

1961 - 2025

Arthur "Art" Lee Pertile III

Mar 9, 1961 - Feb 25, 2025

Life Story of ARTHUR "ART" LEE PERTILE, III

As written by the man himself.

Art was born on March 9, 1961 in Midland, Texas. He transitioned on February 25, 2025. He was the child of Eula Martin Pertile of Keiser, Arkansas and Arthur Lee Pertile (Patillo) of Foreman, Arkansas. He was married to Renita D. King for almost 35 years, although he still believed that the six years that the two dated should be added to that total. Art had two children, Arthur Lee Pertile, IV of Katy, Texas and Krissica LeAnn Harper of Waco, Texas. He accepted Christ and was baptized at Northside Baptist Church in Midland, Texas at the age of nine. Art was a former Trustee of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Waco, Texas, which he joined in 1996. After returning to Katy, Texas, he attended Current a Christian Church until his death.

"Rebel" Years

Art was a "79er", a 1979 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School in Midland, Texas. He was voted "Mr. Valuable in 1979. As a Lee Rebel, Art played basketball and ran track.

McMurry Mark

Art graduated in 1983 from McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. The mark he leaves on McMurry is indelible. Art was a member of the McMurry University Board of Trustees, a 2003 McMurry University Hall of Honor inductee, the 2018 McMurry University Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient, the 2022 McMurry University Commencement speaker, and he served on the McMurry University Alumni Board. Art, along with his wife Renita, was a recipient of the Bob and Clara Brown Award, an award given annually to an individual whose contributions have had a lasting impact on McMurry's athletics department. He was a member of McMurry Student Government and was head delegate of the Model United Nations Outstanding Delegation while at McMurry. Additionally, he was on the Dean's List, voted Senior Class favorite, and received honors from Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, Outstanding Young Men of America and the Optimist Club Outstanding Youth of Abilene award. As an outstanding collegiate athlete, Art was an All-American in track and won three individual conference championships in the 200, 400 and 800-meter races and five conference championships as a member of the 4X100 and 4X400 meter relays. He was the conference Most Valuable Track Runner and was also the conference Track Freshman of the year. He was twice named as the McMurry track team's Top Performer and twice named the track team's most inspirational performer. Art was selected as a member of the McMurry All Century Track Team. In 2017 Art co-founded and helped to spearhead the endowment of the McMurry African American Alumni Student Scholarship Fund. He joined his best friend/his "Room", Earnest Merritt, in this endeavor.

Law School Life

In 1986 Art obtained his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law in Austin. While there, he served as Vice President of the Thurgood Marshall Legal Society and as Vice President of the University of Texas Black Student Association. He also met Renita in law school and, within a few short months, nicknamed her "Nita Jo."

Public Sector Service

Art represented governmental entities and public officials exclusively for almost 40 years. He began his legal career in 1986 as an Assistant City Attorney with the Waco City Attorney's Office. He also served as an Assistant District Attorney with the Harris County District Attorney's Office in Houston, Texas and as an Assistant City Attorney with the City of Houston. Art was appointed City Attorney for the City of Waco in February of 1996. In November of 2007 he joined Olson & Olson L.L.P. where he continued his municipal practice and became an owner/partner of the firm until shortly before he retired. During his illustrious career he also served as City Attorney for the City of Katy, City Attorney for the City of Stafford, and he represented countless other cities, counties, special districts, and public officials across the State of Texas. As recognition for his tireless work in the public sector, Art received numerous awards, including the "Outstanding Mentor Award" from the Texas City Attorneys Association; the "Marvin Glink Award" from the International Municipal Lawyers Association (for mentoring young lawyers and public service); and the "U.S. Williams Jr. Excellence In Service Award" from the Texas Association of Black City Council members and Mayors. Leadership roles Art held included President of the International Municipal Lawyers Association, President of the Texas City Attorneys Association, and service on the Boards of the following organizations: the Texas Municipal League, the Government Lawyers Section of the Texas State Bar, the Waco Foundation, the McLennan County Bar Association, Waco Parents for Public Schools, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, and the YMCA of Central Texas.

Community Impact

Art founded and served as a board member of the Waco Tigers charitable organization. He coached youth basketball for over 45 years and was a National Youth Sport Coaches Association certified youth basketball coach. Hundreds fondly call him "Coach Art" not only because of his basketball coaching skills, but, more importantly, because of his life coaching skills. He was appointed by former Texas Governor Rick Perry to the Texas Commission on Fire Protection, where he served as a Commissioner for 10 years. He received numerous awards for his service to the community, including the Frank Fallon "Sportsman of the Year Award" presented by the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce; the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation's "Contributors Award" for his work with the youth of Waco; and many other awards for his service to the community.

Arthur loved basketball, the Dallas Cowboys, L A Lakers and traveling. He enjoyed music, especially Country, Gospel and R&B; history and reading the Bible. He was a man of unwavering faith who had an encyclopedic knowledge of the Bible having read it cover to cover, three times.

He joins his mother; father; sister, Mary Pertile Jones; and brother, Randall Pertile in death. To cherish his memory he leaves behind his wife, Renita; son Arthur; and daughter, Krissica; mother-in-law, Ruth King; sisters, Beverly Agomuo, Constance Roberts, Stephanie Roberts, and Nina LeBlanc-Moore; sister-in-law, Sonia King; and brothers, Earnest Merritt and Harry J. Starks. He also leaves behind a great-great aunt, Annie Mae Jackson; great aunt, Mary Lee, great aunt, Mary Rowe; uncle, L.A. Pertile and his wife Barbara; aunt, Patricia Pertile Johnson, and many cousins; nephews; nieces; mentees; friends; and former players on the many, many teams he coached.

A funeral Service for Arthur will be held on Monday, March 17, 2025 at 12 p.m. in the Waco Convention Center located at 100 Washington Avenue, Waco, Texas 76701,