By arhospice on March 5th, 2019

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Who Was Arthur Parsons?

Arthur, “Art” (aka BluDux) came from a long line of master craftsmen. Art hand-turned each custom piece using woods, acrylics, buffalo horn and deer antler. 

His products included .30 Caliber Bolt Action Pens, Bottle Openers, Letter Openers, Fire Strikers, Bride and Groom Pens, everyday color Block Twist Pens. Art was retired from the United States Air Force and semi-retired from the workforce.  His dedication to craftsmanship and quality is evident in each item. 

Husband, father, master craftsman, and more

It’s hard to capture him in just one story. From his many years on the farm growing up, his Air Force career as a radio repairman to his endless hours in the shop creating masterpieces with saws and anything made of wood, we all truly believe that sawdust ran through his veins. As a point of pride, he could look at a piece of wood and ascertain its origin and more than likely how old the tree was wherein it came. He had a life-long love affair with hot sauce, any fried fish imaginable, shrimp and gumbo. Arthur took fashion cues from no one. His signature everyday look was a plain pocketed T-shirt designed by the fashion house, Fruit of the Loom, his Levi blue jeans, a pair of tennis shoes that were always paired with a sweat-stained baseball cap. However, if he was going out dancing with his girl, you could always find him in his finest western shirt, best cowboy boots and favorite cowboy hat. When he could get his wife, Sonya, to stop watching CSI, he loved Saturday mornings watching This Old House and anything on The DIY Channel. 

How He Lived

Art definitely was one of a kind. He always found humor in every situation. It was a great way to cope with life. Whatever it was, he managed to get through it by finding a saying that would make you laugh. His favorite saying was, ”I’m in pretty good shape for the shape I’m in.”

Where He Came From

Born in Freedom, Oklahoma, March 9, 1938, the son of Leland and Pauline Parsons, Art was a resident of Searcy, Arkansas. He was a lifelong Christian, member of Downtown Church of Christ and member of the Optimist Club. He leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Sonya (Foster) Parsons; his daughters, Tami Eades (Robert), Toni Donovan (Chris), Stephanie Parsons, four grandchildren; Megan Donovan, Molly Valentine (Steven), Meredith Brady (Corey), Jared Eades and a beloved great granddaughter, Ava Michele; two brothers, Earl Parsons (Norma), Merle Parsons (Ellie), one sister, Regina Frick (Robert), a host of nieces and nephews he loved dearly and many close friends. His best friend and fishing buddy, Arthur Churchill, was a constant in Arthur’s life, coming over for morning coffee and making sure he got to go fishing whenever or wherever he wanted. Arthur also made many new friends in the last few months, David, Lowell, Tom and Rick offered him a sense of purpose and wonderful memories.

Help Us Honor His Memory

Arthur Edward Parsons, 79, passed away August 8, 2017, following a courageous battle with cancer.  You are invited to become one of “Art’s Angels” by making a donation in his honor to Arkansas Hospice. Over the last few months, Dad was being wonderfully cared for by Arkansas Hospice, his favorite nurse, Renee, who he truly adored, and Nicole, who kept him at peace until the end.  

“I’m in pretty good shape, for the shape I’m in.”

 – Arthur Edward Parsons