Ronnie Edward Lee Arthur

Ronnie Edward Lee Arthur was born on February 15, 1947 in Old Speck's Hospital in Cleveland and passed away on October 6, 2014 peacefully at home. He lived in Cleveland until he was in the sixth grade and moved to Jersey City, N.J. where he finished school, and then entered the U.S. Army. Ronnie entered the United States Army September 12, 1966. After his induction at Fort Dix, N.J. he was sent to Fort Louis, WA for basic training. He completed A.I.T. at Fort Gordon, GA and then went to Fort Benning for Jump School for army airborne training. In March 1967 he was sent to Vietnam and was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173rd Airborne. In October 1967 the 173rd, a backing support group that set the blocking force, was at the battle of Pleiku (Hill 875) which was a major battle. On March 16, 1968 he was in Tuy Hoa where he was injured and lost his left leg after being hit with an enemy grenade. He was medically retired from service July 11, 1968. During his time in the service, Ronnie received the following medals; Bronze Star with "V" Device, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Bronze Star for Heroism, National Defense Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Service Medal. Ronnie went to work at Cleveland Chair Company in 1970 and worked there for 14 years. He worked 19 years at Westvaco until their closure in 2003. He received the Governor's Handicapped Worker of the year Award for the state of Tennessee on November 14, 1974. He was ordained a Baptist deacon at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in October 1981. He helped establish United Missionary Baptist Church and later Eagle's Landing Worship Center in Cleveland. In May 1991 Ronnie Arthur, Frank Cole and Bob Meeks set out to start a local VVA Chapter. Ronnie became the charter President, Bob Meeks became the charter Vice President and Frank Cole became the charter Secretary. Ronnie spent many years working for veteran's benefits. He was preceded in death by his father, E.W. (Little Man) Arthur; mother, Marcella Gibson Hensley; sister Joanne Arthur Suits; brother, Stephen Arthur and sister, Billie Thacker. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Cathey (Miller) Arthur; daughter and son-in-law, Kelly Arthur Hall and husband, Brandon; son, Matthew Aaron Arthur and granddaughter, Curtiss Grace Hall; step-mother, Rolley Arthur; sisters and brothers-in-law, Carla and Rene` Adams, Sherry and Michael Johnson, Pam and Budgie Whitner; brother Warren H. (Butch) Arthur; brothers in law, Robert Suits and Buddy Miller; sisters-in-law, Louise Miller, Patricia Sipe, Charlotte Sipe, Carolyn and Bill Payne. Several nieces and nephews as well as many other family members and friends are left to cherish his memory. Memorial services will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 10, 2014 in the chapel of Grissom-Serenity Funeral Home with the Reverend Daniel Carlton officiating. Inurnment will be held in Arlington National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4:00 - 7:00 on Friday at the funeral home prior to the service. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Arthur family guest book at www.grissomserenity.com . Arrangements are being handled by Grissom-Serenity Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Mark S. Grissom, Funeral Director.