Don Allen Arthur

Don Allen Arthur, “Coach”, age 77, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, born and raised in Montgomery, WV, transcended this Earthly Plain, exhaling his last breath at 2:35 PM, at Ft. Walton Beach Medical Center, on Christmas Day, December 25th, 2019. His Partner in Crime, as he referred to his spouse, Marilyn Tubbs Arthur, was at his bedside and holding his hand. Their nicknames for each other was “Bonnie and Clyde,” a secret they shared when they wanted to get away from the mundane tasks of everyday life.

     Coach Arthur was born at home, November 18th, 1942, in Montgomery, WV, to Helen Francis Campbell and John Thomas Arthur. He married Marilyn on December 19th, 1985, after 2-years of engagement.

     Coach Arthur, graduated from East Bank High School, in East Bank, WV, and received a full athletic scholarship to West Virginia University, playing as a starter in football from 1962 to 1964, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Administration, and continued with his Masters Degree in Architectural Design. Coach Arthur went back to East Bank High School to coach Football and wrestling. He took East Bank High school to 3-consecutive State Football Championships’, earning him the title of West Virginia’s “Most Winningest Coach,” and received a “Proclamation of Outstanding Leadership in Education and Sport’s,” in 1971, by Governor Arche J. Moore. A year after the devastating airplane crash of Marshall University’s football players’, staff, and Coaches, Coach Arthur joined the new staff of The Thundering Herd, at Marshall University. He came to Fort Walton Beach to join the staff of Choctawhatchee High School in 1978, and became the defensive coordinator helping to take the football team, under Coach Lionel Fayard, to the District 5A Championship in 1990. He retired in 2009, after 31-years with the Okaloosa County School District of Educator’s and Coaches.

     Coach Don Arthur is survived by his spouse, of 34-years, Marilyn Arthur, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, his son’s Dana Matthew Arthur and wife Jennifer, four grandchildren, Chance, Lainey, Tripp, and Ellie Arthur, son John Campbell Arthur, Stepson, Cleon Fowler and his wife, Sandy of SC. He is also survived by his Aunt Virginia “Judy” Campbell of WV, Great Aunt Audrey Campbell Grounds, and her son Wayne Campbell, also of WV, sister Brenda Sue Arthur Cimini and husband Joe of Lake Charles, LA and two nieces, Laura Cimini Piercy, husband Alan, and Jo Ellen Cimini Russell, husband Rodney, cousins, Steven Sleboda and wife, Marty, Joann Sleboda Garret and husband Dan, Bobby Campbell and wife, Annette, and Pam Campbell Jones, husband Keith. Other survivors are sister’s-in-law, Marlene D. Chestnut, husband Devon, Linda Mae Tubbs Peake, husband, Dennis, Barbara Jean Tubbs and Carol Ann Arave, brother-in-law, Scott Michael Wheat, In-Spirit Daughter, Julianne Revell Turner, and long time best friend of 70-years, Ira “Pee Wee” Bowen and his wife Lois. Still sitting at the door waiting for Don to return, along with his long time buddy of 14-years, Dawg, a Tennessee Walker Coon Hound, who left For Doggie Heaven in April, 2019, is 15-year old Maine Coon Kitty, Jack Schidt.  Drop by the house and you’ll know “Jack.”

    Don was preceded in death by his father, John Thomas Arthur, mother, Helen Francis Campbell Arthur, his Uncle Joe Sleboda, his Aunt Elizabeth Campbell Sleboda, and Uncle Don Campbell, all whom he loved and adored, and just recently his buddy, who would not leave his side, his fur baby, Dawg.

A Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 2, 2019 at 12:30 pm at Emerald Coast Funeral Home followed by a funeral service at 1:00 P.M. conducted by Pastor Chuck Poplin.

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