Arthur Junior Shoemaker

Arthur Junior Shoemaker, age 82, of Grants Pass, died Saturday, December 13, 2008 at his home.

A viewing will be from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at Hull & Hull Funeral Directors.

A funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 18, 2008 at Hull & Hull Chapel. Private interment will be at Rock Point Cemetery in Gold Hill.

He was born May 14, 1926 in Klamath Falls, Oregon to Arthur & Lela Valetta (Evick) Shoemaker. The family moved to Gold Hill when young Art was about six years old. He used to fish for salmon to help feed the family when he was very young. He joined the United States Army when he was 17 years old and celebrated his 18th birthday in the Philippines. He was a medic until he came home in 1945.

Art worked as a logger, in saw mills, and as a long haul truck driver. He built and remodeled several homes. Art was a wonderful dancer, loved music and taught and called square dancing for 25 years. He belonged to the 40 Plus Dance Club and the Senior Citizens Dance Club. He also belonged to a pinochle club, which he enjoyed playing as well as cribbage. He was also an avid hunter. He spent 13 years in Alaska where he had a commercial fishing boat and a lodge called ‘Parkers Patch’. He also worked as a maintenance man for the school district. Over the years he was married four times and was father to three children.

He is survived by three children, Wendy Rowe of Gold Hill, Joy Brookhouse of Portland, and Arthur Sam Shoemaker of Terrebonne; two stepdaughters, Judy Barry and Susan Thomas both of Gold Hill; a brother, Duane Shoemaker and a sister, Elizabeth Banry both of Gold Hill; and his companion of 19 years, Helen Luckett of Grants Pass and her two daughters, Lana Sansour and Janine Law; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Virginia Walker in 2008 and four half-sisters.