Arthur Junior Steele

November 9, 1927 ~ October 5, 2012
Arthur, age 84, passed away October 5, 2012 at the George E. Wahlen Veterans Home in Ogden, UT. He had resided there the last two years and five months, after spending most of his life in Monticello and Arizona.
He was born November 9, 1927, in Rico, CO, the son of Arthur A. and Arvilla Evans Steele. They were later divorced.
Art and his brother, Tom, were raised in Monticello by their mom and grandparents, Tom and Mary Evans.
“Junior” had chickens to chase, cows to milk, trees to climb, pine nuts to crack (his life-long love), and horses to ride. He was a cowboy – complete with all the trappings. After his mother married Bert A. Warren, he became big brother to Mary Lou and Carolyn.
After high school, Art went to work at Deseret Chemical in Tooele, UT. While there, he enlisted in the Navy. He served on a ship in China, Japan and Hawaii. Upon discharge he joined Tom at Carbon Junior College in Price. They excelled in basketball, football and baseball.
After graduation, Art married Patricia Ballard and they became parents of Kent, Connie, and Robert.
He started a career in finance and then moved to Arizona where he and Pat eventually divorced.
Art secured a job at Luke Air Force Base in the supply department of the Fire Department. He loved this job and made it his final career, while serving in the National Guard and Air Force Reserves. He also coached championship teams in baseball, softball and basketball.
After retirement, Art spent summers in cool Monticello and winters in hot Arizona. He helped care for his mother at her home in Monticello.
Later he settled in Sun City, AZ in a cute home he bought. Unfortunately, he had been developing dementia. So in 2010, his son, Robert, and sister, Carolyn, brought him to the brand new Veterans Home in Ogden, UT.
He enjoyed the food, many games, arts and crafts. He was the “best athlete” there.
Alzheimers, illness, and falls took his memory and his life. Now he is at peace and at home.
Art is survived by his daughter, Connie Cooper; two sons, Kent Steele (Karen) and Robert Steele (Tami); six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and sister, Carolyn Warren.
Card of thanks
A heart felt thank you to all the family, friends, church leaders and support people of Monticello and surrounding areas.
A grateful thank you to the wonderful people at the George E. Wahlen Veterans Home, Ogden; Lundquist Mortuary, Layton; and our own San Juan Mortuary, Blanding, for their care and concern.
Family of Arthur J. Steele