Cecil E. Arthur
October 20, 1947 ~ April 26, 2020
Born in:
Asheville, NC
Resided in:
Arden, NC
Cecil Arthur, 72, of Arden, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, April 26, 2020 at his residence.
Born in Asheville, he was the husband of Evelyn Ann (Rhodes) Arthur of Arden, and the son of the late James Nathen Arthur, Jr. and Millicent (Bird) Arthur. He was preceded in death by a son, Vincent “Scott” Arthur.
He was a member of Biltmore Church where he was a Deacon and involved in the SPAN Ministry. He was also an Army veteran of Vietnam.
Cecil was a strong and dedicated man who loved his children and shared his love of fishing, water skiing, and scuba diving with them. He enjoyed outdoor activities including hiking and camping. Cecil was a master carpenter and devoted his time and talents to helping others. He was the maintenance director for Buncombe County Schools from 1998 and retired in January of 2008. During his time as Maintenance Director he was also the State President of the North Carolina Maintenance Association (2005-2006, 2006-2007 school years).
In addition to his wife of 52 years, he is survived by a son, Cecil “Eric” Arthur and Daughter in law Linda Arthur of Arden; two brothers: Nathan Arthur, Jr. and Charles Arthur; one sister, Janice Lancaster; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
A visitation and memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Cecil’s memory may be made to SPAN Ministry, c/o Biltmore Church, 35 Clayton Rd., Arden, NC 28704.
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I am so sorry for your loss. Cecil was a Great Boss and friend. Prayers for your family.
Sandra Brown Penley-1966 Classmate
Sending prayers for the family. Cecil always had a smile for everyone.
What a great boss he was. Cecil hired me at the Maintenance Department and always made time to come by and say good morning. He was always supportive, dedicated, and respectful. He loved his Lord and his family. He will be missed. Another Angel looking over us. Prayers for peace and comfort to his family.
Love and sympathy to the family. Cecil was a special friend, who will be greatly missed. May God give you comfort and peace.
Evelyn and family, my thoughts, love and sympathy are with you. Cecil was an amazing man who supported me in every way when I was a principal. He was skilled professionally with personal attributes that let me know he cared about our children, teachers and all of us at Glen Arden Elementary School. He wanted our school to be a safe place and gave us the support we needed to keep it that way. He always came with a smile and friendship. He meant so much to all of us who worked with him. Cecil was a champion.
Evelyn, Eric & family, We are thinking of you and sending our love. You will always have your cherished memories of Cecil to keep in your hearts forever.
Evelyn and family we are so sorry for your loss. Cecil always had a smile, we loved seeing him at Church on Sunday mornings and gave reason for many laughs when working on SPAN Ministry projects. He was always ready to help others. Cecil will be greatly missed by many.
Cecil was a well liked friend in the class of 1966 at TC Roberson. He was a friend to everyone. I still miss his Mom and Dad’s ice cream from those days at Arcadia Dairy. Cecil must have had a hand it that too because it was so good. May God richly bless the family.
Curran Welch
Lake Junaluska, NC
Evelyn, our hearts are with you at this time of loss. You & Cecil are true blessings to all who are fortunate to know you. Cecil’s legacy of love, dedication to all that is good, hard work and caring will last in memories forever. We love you. Prayers for God’s comfort until we all have that great reunion in the air.
Ray & Mary Ann McMinn
Evelyn and family, my deepest sympathies are with you in this difficult time. Please know that the family is in my prayers. Mr. Cecil was such a wonderful person to work for. His smile and caring personality was always the same. Me. Cecil will be greatly missed by many.
Evelyn and family, I am so sorry for your loss. My heart is with you during this difficult time. I feel blessed to have known him through so many years. I know he has gone home to be with the Lord but those of us left behind will continue to miss him and his sweet smile. My greatest sympathy.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time. We have such fond memories of Cecil and his exuberant personality and dry wit. He was a wonderful person, husband, father, Believer in Jesus Christ. He gave feet to his faith through the SPAN ministry, setting a lasting example to all who knew him. May God provide great strength to all of you in the days ahead. Much love, Henry and Trudy Coble
Our Prayers are with the family.
So sorry to read that Cecil passed. My prayers for all the family and friends as you walk this journey. I worked in Buncombe County Schools when Cecil was in Maintenance. He was always so helpful and friendly when you needed something done!
Evelyn and family I am so sorry to hear of Cecil’s passing. I always enjoyed being with you at church and our volunteering together. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Saddened to learn of the loss of a classmate. Cecill was a friendly and personable person with a wonderful smile. We treausre memories of our friends from the class of 1966 at TC Roberson.
May God comfort and console his family and loved ones.
Deana Merrell Freeman-classmate
Evelyn and Eric-
We are so sorry to see the news of Cecil’s passing. We send our deepest condolences to you and your family.
A little over 25 years ago, I started a temp job that I knew very little about, but I needed a job that had benefits and could hopefully turn into full time eventually. I was told to find Cecil (who was the Assistant Director of Maintenance at the time), and he would tell me what to do and where to go.
That summer, I think I worked the hardest I had ever worked in my life doing grunt work because that is all there was at that time. We moved everything out of over a dozen schools and put it all back when renovations were finished. At the end of EVERY day, I would go up to Cecil and remind him that I was looking for a full time job, and that if anything came up – I would appreciate the chance to interview for it. (and I am sure there was more than one day I drove him crazy asking) He took the time to talk to me about the things I needed to do to be considered getting on permanently, and even kept me on ‘temporary – full time’ for a year after the rest of the temps were let go.
After a year of me literally asking him EVERY day when he was going to hire me full time, one day he called me to say that there was someone retiring, and if I wanted it, the position was mine.
He allowed me to further my education over the years, and eventually gambled on me again to move me into another position that he could have easily said no to – but he always told me that he believed I could do it if I applied myself. This man took a chance on a smart mouthed kid that had no idea what he wanted to do with his life, and gave him the opportunity to better himself and move into a career that he truly cares about – and has become a better person because of it.
Cecil – you may not have realized it, but I always thought you were a great boss – and I am where I am today because you were willing to give me a shot to prove myself, and I will never forget that. You always made sure to correct me when I was wrong (and Lord knows I gave you MANY chances to do that), but you also would tell me after those times that you expected more from me because you knew it was in there if I worked hard enough to bring it out.
I am now in a position where I am the guy that can see retirement not too far off on the horizon – and I owe all of that to you Cecil.
I last saw you in December, shook your hand, and you said that you were glad to see that I had toughed it out through some tougher times (professionally and personally) and that you were happy that I had stuck it out. Had I known that would be the last time I had seen you on this earth I would have thanked you again for all you had done for me – so I guess I will just save that for when I see you again.
Rest easy my friend – I will see you when I get there.
Evelyn, if there is anything I can do for you or your family, please do not hesitate to ask.
Evelyn Sandy and I where heart broken when we got the news about Cecil. So many memories flooded my thought of sitting and talking with Cecil. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Please let us know if you need anything.
I am so sorry Evelyn❤️Praying for you precious one and your family🙏🏻I love you❤️
Dottie Setran
I was saddened to read of Cecil’s passing. I remember him fondly from my time at TC Roberson while Cecil was with the Maintenance Department. He was dedicated to making sure the students and staff everywhere were well taken care of. He was a tireless worker. He always made time to listen and help where and when he could. I truly appreciated his attitude and dedication to his work.
Evelyn and Eric
Both personally and on behalf of our school system, condolences to each of you over Cecil’s passing. We proudly consider our school system as one large family. Cecil was such an outstanding leader and patriarch of the Maintenance Department during his tenure as Director. The quality of leadership he provided was appropriately recognized in the naming of the department’s building in his honor. While Cecil maintained high expectations in efforts, he was clearly recognized by the BCS family as having a huge heart for his staff and peers. We will greatly miss our friend.
Evelyn and Eric ….You are in my thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time. I wish I could give you a big hug and tell you how much you are loved by all your OLD kindergarten buddies at Estes.
Denise Hanks
We were so shocked to learn of Cecil’s passing. He will surely be missed in Avery’s Creek, what a great team Evelyn and Cecil. We are so sorry and have you, Evelyn, in my prayers.
Evelyn and Eric
I know Cecil’s loss brings a sadness and void that seems unbearable, but knowing your faith, God will take care of you. Loosing Cecil is like loosing a brother, because we worked, laughed and cried together. Before our retirements, I spent untold hours with him and learned his heart and you must know that the two of you and Scott were the center of his life. We often discussed our love for Christ, and I know, without any reservation, that he resides today with his Savior. I saw his passion for the students, staff and fellow employees at Buncombe County Schools. He spent untold hours, arose early in the morning and retired late at night to see that they had the best working environment possible. I have maintained contact with him and continued to seek his counsel since retirement and will miss him immensely. If I can do anything during these difficult times, please let me know, and may God bless you with his everlasting peace.
Cecil’s smile in the obituary photograph perfectly captures his open friendliness and easy nature. His gift for welcoming, considerate thoughtfulness was so apparent. Reading the other posted tributes I realize that Cecil had a huge fan club. Evelyn, you two made a wonderful couple who influenced so many of us, sharing your good humor and positive outlook on life, on education, on children, and on service to others. You and your family are foremost in my heart at this time. Take comfort in how you and Cecil are regarded and know that I believe there is no greater achievement in life. Cecil has earned his rest embraced by our Maker.
We were shocked and saddened to know that Cecil had passed. He is too soon gone from his family and the community. Evelyn our hope is that Eric and you and all those missing him will find comfort and joy in the memories he has left to you.
Dear Evelyn and Eric
Our deepest sympathy in the passing of Cecil ..
Love and prayers for both of you.
Dear Evelyn, Eric and Linda,
My deepest sympathy goes to you at this time. I was privileged to witness how much he loved you, Evelyn and his sons and daugher-in-law. Please know I am keeping you in my daily prayers. Cecil was a courageous and kind man!
Dear Evelyn and Eric, we were so saddened to hear of Cecil’s passing. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Phyllis and Clif