Jack Arthur

September 04, 2019

Jack Arthur

Service Details

Jack Eugene Arthur, II was born on January 26, 1957 in Durant, Oklahoma to Jack & Gaylene Arthur. He passed away at Iowa Methodist Medical Center on September 4, 2019 at the age of 62.

He is survived by his wife, Tarah Harry, and step daughter Dayanita Yarborough. Dayanita frequently expressed her belief that Jack was her guardian angel sent to watch over her; she was his only child and became the center of his world. Jack often shared that he couldn’t believe how much he loved her.

Jack was the second of four children. His life journey brought him to Central Iowa where he taught Middle School children with behavioral disorders in both the Oskaloosa and Des Moines School Districts. He retired after 25 years of service in this role in May 2019.

Upon retirement, Jack turned his attention to his second passion (Dayanita being his first) aviation. Jack loved aviation and launched his own business, JACKS ERCOUPE REPAIR LLC, repairing and restoring airplanes and airplanes parts. Jack was considered one of the leading authorities on Ercoupe in the region; something his wife was very proud of, as well. He was a proud and tireless member of the National Ercoupe Owner’s Club. His own personal collection of (4) Ercoupes included the oldest privately-owned Ercoupe, Serial #4. Of the First 4 manufactured Serial #1 is in the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, while the other two were destroyed. Jack was also a very proud owner of the X4 four-seater experimental Mooney prototype.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents. In addition to his wife and daughter, he is survived by his brother Dan Arthur, his sister Debbie Crow, and his sister Kim Arthur. Jack was very proud that Dan Arthur’s son, and Jack’s nephew, Jerry was studying for his own pilot’s license.

It was Jack’s final wishes to NOT have a funeral or memorial service. He requested instead for a celebration of his life. Attendees are asked to respect Jack’s wishes and not make it an event for mourning his loss; but rather remembering the joy and happiness that he brought to so many. The celebration will be on Saturday, September 14 starting at 1:00pm and held at his ‘home away from home’, newly built (partially finished) hanger at the Indianola Municipal Airport (12562 Nevada St) in Indianola, Iowa. (Nash Field 6Z6 for Jack’s fellow pilots.)

In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family requests contributions be made to The Ercoupe Owner’s Club Scholarship Program, to which Jack was very dedicated, at PO Box 220, Pleasant Grove, AR 72567.

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