Arthur RayMcCroskey

Arthur McCroskey

Arthur Ray McCroskey passed away on September the 26^th of 2015, surrounded by loved ones.  A graveside service will be held 10:00 AM, Thursday, October 1^st of 2015 at Memoryland Memorial Park with David Gibson officiating.  Services are under the direction of Coker-Mathews Funeral Home.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Arthur was born March the 12^th of 1922 at home to William and Frankie McCroskey in Reader, Arkansas.  Arthur Ray was a loving sibling of four brothers Otto, Morris, Berlin, and Vernon.  Arthur also had one sister, Willie Mae.

Arthur enjoyed growing up in Arkansas.  He loved going hunting, fishing, and even attending school.  Arthur Ray especially liked the walks to and from the school house.  It was during these very walks that he met the love of his life, Willodene Henley.  Arthur stood out among the group because he had a bicycle and a paper route to bring home extra money.

When Arthur was eighteen he joined the Army Air Corps, the modern day Air Force.  Arthur Ray was stationed in England, France, and Belgium.  He was on a ship headed for Japan when word came of Japan’s surrender.  During the war Arthur Ray found comfort and courage in two places, Psalms 25:16-21 and letters from Willodene.

On September the 13^th of 1945 Arthur married his true love Willodene Henley.  Willodene and Arthur Ray had one son Danny McCroskey.  Arthur supported his family by working on the Reader Railroad and the Kansas City Southern and retired in 1982.  Arthur Ray was a loving and generous husband and dad.  He and Willodene raised their son to be a hard working Christian man.  The pride of Arthur Ray and Willodene were their granddaughters Macy and Dee Dee McCroskey.

Arthur is survived by his son Danny, daughter-in-law Marcy, and granddaughters Macy and Dee Dee McCroskey.  He is also survived by two brothers, Berlin and Vernon, as well as a dear sister-n-law May Lehman, nephew Ottis Arthur, and good friend Carl Brown.

Arthur was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Willie Mae, and brothers, Otto and Morris.  On January 22^nd of 2013 Arthur suffered his greatest loss in the death of his wife of 67 years, Willodene.

Throughout Arthur’s life he stood firm in his devotion to God and his family.  He was a wonderful husband, dad, grandpa, and a fantastic father-n-law.