Arthur C. Carmean

Arthur Carmean was a caring and compassionate man who made the most of each day he was given. He was a dedicated employee who knew how to put in a hard day at work and he valiantly served his country too. Arthur was intelligent and owned a successful business for many years, yet he liked to have a good time as well. He enjoyed sharing his culinary talents with others and he always savored a good bowl of chili. The 1940s are often associated with WWII, but there were numerous events that occurred during that generation that helped shape us into the nation we are today. The GI Bill allowed more men than ever before to get a college education, commercial television with 13 stations became available in 1947, and the first computer which stood two stories high was completed in 1945. Also during this time, Cecil and Mary (Trowbridge) Carmean, of Muskegon, Michigan, were thrilled with the birth of their first child, Arthur, on November 9, 1946. Arthur was later joined by siblings Linda and Nick. His mother was a homemaker while his father worked at Bennett Pump Company in Muskegon. Muskegon, located along the eastern shores of Lake Michigan, a community rich in both culture and the Arts, and was a great place to raise a family . Arthur attended Oakview Elementary School and it was during his younger years that his family moved to a home on Emerson Avenue. Arthur was an excellent student who always earned As from his earliest age. Like so many other young boys, Arthur was actively involved in numerous activities. He was very involved in the Boy Scouts and his father also served as a Scoutmaster. The summer months often found Arthur serving as a counselor at Boy Scout Camp, and during the winter months, he often played hockey at Reese Field Park. Arthur also enjoyed deer hunting with his father on his grandparents farm in Traverse City. He also tried his hand at the violin for time, but it proved to be a short-lived experience. Arthur graduated in 1964 from Muskegon High School. The next several years were filled with a variety of experiences for Arthur experiences that took him in many different directions. Upon his graduation, Arthur entered the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. When he was discharged from his time of service, Arthur attended Ferris State College in Big Rapids, Michigan. A short time later, in 1970, Arthur and a partner opened a clothing store, The Depot, in the Muskegon Mall located in downtown Muskegon. They opened two additional locations as well, one in Whitehall and one in Holland. During the mid-eighties, they closed all the stores, leaving Arthur to pursue a different career path. For a time, Arthur managed an Upper Crust Pizzeria, but his career soon took him down a different path yet again. In 1989, Arthur began his career with Rite Aid Pharmacy which required a fair amount of travel throughout the United States. Initially, he was an inventory representative, but by the time he retired after 20 years of service, he had been an assistant manager for some time. Life was not all about work for Arthur, however, as there were also a variety of interests that he enjoyed pursuing. He was a big NASCAR fan and took numerous trips to Florida to take in a race, combining his love for racing with his love for traveling. Arthur also took several trips with his parents to Las Vegas each spring. He was an avid gardener and also liked hanging out at the farmers market. Arthur loved cooking and he additionally often canned a variety of different fruits when time allowed. His favorite things to eat were a great bowl of chili and potato salad. One of the things that made Arthur so special was his big heart, combined with his caring spirit. In 1999, his mother became ill and he tenderly cared for her for hours that were too numerous to count until she entered a nursing home in 2001. Here she could receive the more hands-on care that her health challenges demanded. Arthur was deeply saddened with his mothers death in 2004, leaving Arthur to draw strength from his family during this difficult time. In 2008, Arthur experienced health challenges of his own when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Sadly, Arthur was unable to recover and his body finally succumbed to the fight. Arthur Carmean was a compassionate man who enjoyed a diverse palette of interests throughout his lifetime. Although he never married, he dearly loved his family, sacrificially caring for his mother during her time of need. Arthur was a savvy businessman and later, a dedicated employee who always did his job to the best of his ability. He will be dearly missed and warmly remembered by all those he leaves behind. Arthur C. Carmean of Muskegon died on Wednesday, July 29, 2009. Arthurs family includes his brother, Nick (Becky) Carmean of Muskegon; sister, Linda Smith of Muskegon; and several nieces and nephews. Arthur was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Mary Carmean. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2009, 1:00 p.m. at the Clock Chapel. Interment at Restlawn Cemetery. Visit with Arthurs family and friends on Friday, from 6-8 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home Muskegon location Muskegon, MI. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can leave a favorite memory or photo, sign the online guestbook, or make a memorial contribution to the American Heart Association.