SHIRLEY, ARTHUR COULSON, August 15, 1904 – June 22, 2006

Arthur Coulson Shirley, 101, passed away Thursday, June 22, 2006 at Sunshine Terrace in Logan, Utah of complications due to a fall.

He was born August 15, 1904 in Fish Haven, Idaho, the youngest child of Charles Coulson and Grace Maud Stock Shirley.

Arthur attended elementary school in a two room log school house in Fish Haven. During his high school years, he boarded with the J.W. Cook family while attending Fielding Academy in Paris, Idaho.

Following two years of higher education at Brigham Young Academy in Provo, Utah, he fulfilled a full time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Western States Mission from 1929-31. He taught the Gospel in Colorado, New Mexico and South Dakota; his main area being at LaMar, Colorado and later in Grand Junction.

He met and married Wenonah Miller from Nephi, Utah, who was teaching school in Laketown, Utah. They were married in the Manti LDS Temple, June 1, 1932.

Arthur has lived in Fish haven his entire life, living in part of the home is Grandmother and Grandfather Shirley lived in, which was built in the 1870s.

In their later years, he and Wenonah spent winters in Logan in order to be close to the Logan Temple where they both served as temple workers. Arthur faithfully served for 28 continuous years , being the oldest temple worker in the church.

Arthur was a dairy farmer and had a fine herd of registered Guernsey cows. Through the years he also had a few sheep, a large flock of chickens, and beef cattle. He and several other farmers in Fish Haven organized a cattle association and he was appointed the range rider for 45 years.

His love of animals led him to raise and train prize Appaloosa horses, winning many ribbons and trophies at horse shows throughout the Intermountain West.

Arthur was a leader in the Bear Lake Valley being involved in community and church activities. He was a charter member of the Bear Lake County Farm Bureau which he helped organize in 1935. He served on the Board of Directors for several years.

In 1952 he was president of the Bear Lake Rangers, an organized horse posse which served the community. Under his direction, the first big chuck wagon was built and used by the Rangers to cook their famous 4th of July breakfasts.

Arthur helped build and organize the Creamery Co-op in Paris, Idaho. He was a stockholder and served on the Board of Directors for many years.

He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many positions. He was first counselor to two different Bishops and served as a ward clerk, making a total of 22 years in a bishopric. He also held stake positions, including stake Sunday School superintendent and High Councilman.

But the highlight of his life was his service as a temple worker in the Logan Temple. Because of the many years he served, he became a well known figure in the temple which accounted for the numerous friends he made through the years.

Arthur loved life and shared that love with those who were blessed to know him. He had a great sense of humor, which carried him through his last days on earth.

He is survived by three daughters, Mirian (Dale) Ricks of Lehi, Utah, Bonnie (Lee) Woodland of Roy, Utah and Jane Ann (Owen) Ward of Malad, Idaho; five grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years; his parents; two brothers, William Devalson Shirley and Charles “Chuck” (LaVoun) Shirley; and four sisters, Florence (Eldon) Cook, Ida Maud Shirley, Francis (William) Price and Vera (Alten) Kearl.

Funeral services were held Monday, June 26 at 1:00 p.m. in the St. Charles Idaho LDS chapel.

Burial was in the Fish Haven Cemetery, with services under the direction of Matthews Mortuary of Montpelier.