Arthur F. Bacon, 95, passed away peacefully in a care facility in Medford, Ore., on Jan. 22, 2010.
Arthur "Art" Bacon was born in Minot, N.D., on Nov. 5, 1914, to Albert and Kathryn Bacon. He graduated from Minot High School and attended Minot State Teachers College. Art enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in Guam and St. Louis, Mo.. As a Chief Petty Officer he was in charge of painting and camouflaging naval airplanes.
While stationed in St. Louis he met and married the love of his life, Irene Inez Novelly. They were married May 9, 1943. When his tour of duty was over, he was honorably discharged and returned to Minot to work for his brother Warren as a billposter. He became president of J.W. Bacon, Inc. (now Bacon Signs, Inc.) in 1966. Art retired Dec. 31, 1977, and he and Irene enjoyed their retirement in Sarasota/Bradenton, Fla. They spent 28 years in Florida before moving to Medford, Ore., to be near two of their children and their families.
While in Minot, Art, always a gentleman, was active in the community. He enjoyed his friends at Kiwanis, was Exalted Ruler of Minot Elks 1089, and president of the Minot Country Club in 1972. Upon retirement he was voted best dressed by the downtown merchants. He loved sports but his passion was golf. Carrying a 12 handicap he achieved four holes in one during his lifetime. He and lifelong friend Chuck Westlie held a golf tournament between them called the Mid-Season Invitational Championship, which lasted for 35 years with Chuck winning six more.
Art was the national president of Westarc Neon Association, now the World Sign Associates, in 1965/66. He was honored to have been selected by his peers to become their national president. He and Irene traveled all over the United States because of that honor. They also traveled with friends to Mexico, Australia, Europe and Canada.
Art is survived by: Irene, his wife of 67 years; sons, Bruce (Cathy), Minot, Dr. Curtis (Susan), Ashland, Ore.; daughter, Lydia (Dr. Gary Boyles), White City, Ore.; grandsons, Tyler (Leslie), Encino, Calif., Justin (Michelle), Snohomish, Wash., Tucker, of Ashland; granddaughters, Brittney, LaQuinta, Calif., Olivia, of Ashland; great-grandsons, Hunter and Cameron, both Snohomish, and Jackson, of Encino.
He was preceded in death by: his son, Douglas; brothers, Dr. Harold, Homer and Warren; and sisters, Beatrice Waterman and Esther Anderson.
Art was cremated and a family celebration of life will be held in Oregon in May. His ashes will be interred in Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
(Rogue Valley Funeral Alternatives, Medford)