Arthur Leroy Fluke passed away on June 1st, 2019, at Judson Park in Des Moines Washington. Arthur is survived by his children, JoAnne Anderson, Patti Fluke and Kelly Fluke as well as a very loving family of grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Arthur is preceded in death by his father, Arthur Fluke Sr.; his mother, Bessie Marciela Kelly; and his wife of over forty years, Maudie Stinson Fluke.
Arthur was born in Sioux City Iowa on June 28, 1924. He was lovingly raised on his family’s dairy farm where he developed his blonde hair and rosy cheeks! However, the Dust Bowl and the Depression caused the family to lose the farm. The little family of three set out in a touring car to find a new life out West.
After a short stay at White Star mill near Elma, Washington, the family moved to the tiny town of Thomas where Arthur attended elementary school. Arthur was one of the very few Caucasian students, since the Kent Valley was almost solely farmed by Japanese immigrants in those days. Arthur early on was fascinated and respectful of people from different cultures.
After years of pea farming in Thomas, Arthur’s father and mother saved up enough money to buy 10 acres near Lake Fenwick. Together the little family cleared the land, built their house, their barns and stables, orchards and gardens and hand-dug their own well. During this time Arthur attended Federal Way junior and Senior High School.
One day Arthur was shopping at Penney’s in Kent when he met a beautiful young Canadian store clerk, named Maude Mabel Stinson. It was love at first sight and Arthur proposed just ten days after meeting Maudie. Because Arthur was under 21 years of age, his mother had to write a note so he could marry!
When World War Two broke out, Arthur volunteered immediately to serve in the Navy. Maudie and Arthur spent their early married years in Oakland, San Diego and Wyoming, while in the Navy.
After the war, the couple settled down in North Park in Kent, to raise a family. Arthur got a job at United Air Lines, cleaning the privies on the planes. But because he was so gifted intellectually he rose all the way to Supervisor In Charge of all Ground traffic, which included all of the taxiing planes at SeaTac Airport.
Arthur was also a gifted carpenter who built his own home on East Hill in 1957. He built most of the furniture and clocks for the new home. Arthur restored old cars to make extra money to send his daughters to college and his son to Clover Park Aviation School. Arthur instilled in his children his family values of education, generosity of spirit and the importance of God and hard work.
After retiring from United Air Lines after forty years of service, Maudie and Art were able to travel to Hawaii, Washington D.C., Boston and many other of their favorite destinations.
After Maudie passed away in 2001, Arthur became more active in his beloved church, Kent United Methodist on 248th in Kent. He worked with the KUMC food bank, the homeless men assistance program, painted the interior of Sunday School classrooms, and worked to keep the church landscaping looking beautiful! Arthur was a member of KUMC for over 65 years!
Arthur taught everyone around him how to be a better person; to be more like Jesus; humble, kind, patient, loving and grateful. Arthur’s entire family came to pay their loving respect to their father, grandfather and great grandfather, during his last days. Arthur Leroy Fluke was a truly Grand man in every aspect of his warm, generous, kind personality and noble life of self discipline and loving the Lord!
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and he delighteth in them.” Psalms 37:23
Arthur Fluke’s Memorial will be on September 7, 2019 at 2:00 o clock at Kent United Methodist Church. Reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall. All are welcome. 11010 S.E. 248th St., Kent, Washington. 253-852-3900 Church Office. 253-639-4069 Arthur’s daughter, Patti Fluke.
“The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.” Proverbs 20:7
