Howard McArthur passed away on May 12, 2010 in the home of his son and daughter-in-law, George and Stacie, who took care of him. Howard was born in St. Anthony, ID, on July 7, 1930. Raised in Lovell, WY with four brothers and three sisters, he was a Boy Scout and joined the Marines at 17 (the tallest one in his unit), shortly after he was discharged for being too young. In 1949 he received a mission call to the California Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Leaving snow in Wyoming, he arrived in Bakersfield on November 20th with a hat, overcoat, brief case and suitcase. It was 90 degrees! He married Marilyn Baird (McArthur) February 23, 1952 in the St. George Temple in St. George, UT. They had five children, Terrance, Nondus, Jackie, Byron and George, eleven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. They were married for fifty years until her death in 2002. Howard worked different jobs (including a year as a policeman in Palm Springs) but found his home in the machine shops of Bakersfield. Howard and his growing family moved to Bakersfield in 1960, starting at Hopper and retiring from TOSCO. Marilyn was always involved in theatre; Howard learned a "Stage" was more than a ride from Lovell to Casper. He was very busy behind the scenes building sets, lighting shows, and "flying" Peter Pan out over the audience, he also found himself onstage as Abe Lincoln and Paul Bunyan, and served a term as board president of Bakersfield Community Theatre. He enjoyed photography and gem cutting, being involved in The Kern County Mineral Society. He had a love for the gospel of Jesus Christ and served in many callings in the church, from teaching teens to stake executive secretary, but a lot of his time was spent serving in missionary work. Howard later married Phyllis Slaughter in 2003 and they enjoyed travelling and serving in the Los Angeles Temple together until her death in 2009. He could make anything out of nothing and was self-taught. He always gave of his time and talents to anyone in need. Known as "Mac" or "Big Mac," he was a tall (6' 5"), large man and in his later years it was said, "Look, even hunched over Brother McArthur is still taller than us". Services will be held at the Bakersfield East Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5600 Panorama Dr. , Bakersfield CA 93306 with viewing at 10:00 a.m., and the service at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning, May 19, 2010. Arrangements are by Kern River Family Mortuary, 1900 N. Chester Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93308. Interment will be at Melrose Abbey in Anaheim, CA on May 21, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. Kern River Family Mortuary www.bakersfield.com/obits

Published in Bakersfield Californian on May 18, 2010