WALTER J. ARTERBURN, 69, was born July 20, 1924 in
Drumright, OK, to Margaret Leoma "Oma" Ellison & Ernest
Forrest "Art" Arterburn. He passed away on May 12, 1994,
while living at Bryan, TX. He attended Ranger High School
in the Class of 1942 at Ranger, TX. He served on the Ranger
ISD School Board during the years 1954-1958 and was 1st
Vice President of the Ranger Exes Association during
the years 1993-1994. Following graduation from Ranger
High School, he worked for Art's Tool & Supply in Ranger
as a machinist and, later, in Bryan, he worked for A&M
as an experimental machinist. He also worked part-time
for Century 21 as a realtor. He served in the U.S. Navy
during WWII.
He is survived by his wife Clara Faye Russell Arterburn
(RHS-1944) who lives in Bryan. They had three sons:
Terry, Jerry and Steve. Jerry Laroy Arterburn died
June 13, 1988 while living at Bryan, TX. Terry James
and Stephen Forrest were also born in Ranger & survive.
He was also survived by brothers, Junior Arterburn (RHS-
1946) and wife, Joyce, D.C. Arterburn (RHS-1940) and
wife, Dorothy (Lewis) (RHS-1946), L.P. Arterburn (RHS-
1945) and wife, Frances, and Ernest Arterburn (RHS-1940)
and wife Evelyn.
MOTHER: MARGARET LEOMA "OMA" ELLISON
ARTERBURN, 96, of Ranger, TX died Dec. 8, 1998,
at Abilene, TX, with burial at Evergreen Cemetery in
Ranger.
Mrs. Arterburn was born on Jan. 13, 1902, in Mena, AR,
to Mose & Elzia Alice (Lilly) Ellison. She was raised
in Sewart, OK, and attended school there. She married
Ernest Forrest "Ar"’ Arterburn in 1919 at McAlester, OK.
He preceded her in death on Nov. 3, 1985. She worked
at Arterburn Hardware Store and was a housewife and mother.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Ranger
and Eastern Star Chapter #275. She was also a member of
the Royal Neighbors of America. She was preceded in death
by one son, Walter Arterburn (RHS-1942) in 1994.
Survivors at the time of her death include four sons and
daughters-in-law, Ernest & Evelyn Arterburn of Albuquerque,
NM, D.C. & Dorothy Arterburn of Amarillo, Leonard and
Francis Arterburn of Lake Leon and Baytown, Junior and
Joyce Arterburn of Lubbock, a daughter-in-law Clare Fay
Arterburn of Bryan; one brother, Albert Ellison of Myrtle
Creek, OR, 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, 2
great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
SON: TERRY JAMES ARTERBURN, son of Walter and
Clara Arterburn passed away Aug. 31, 2024 at his home
surrounded by loved ones.
He was born in Ranger, TX on Dec. 31, 1947. The Arterburn
family moved to Bryan, Texas in 1959 where Terry attended
Stephen F. Austin High School. He became an accomplished
musician playing both piano & saxophone. Following graduation
he attended Texas A&M University and received his bachelor’s
degree in Sociology in 1971. He then went on to become a
Captain in the United States Air Force.
Terry is survived by his children Chris Arterburn, Yancey
Arterburn, Nikki McAleer, and Marcie Sprayberry along with
his grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother
Stephen Arterburn.
Terry lived a portion of his life with family in Cookeville
and Gatlinburg, TN before returning to Bryan, TX in 1991.
In Tennessee, his career consists of restaurant and retail
ownership. Upon returning to Texas, he took on Hotel and
Property Management. This career led him to Houston, Galveston,
and finally landed in Austin, where he lived out the remainder
of his life with Nathan Edwards.
Terry loved life. He enjoyed all things outdoors, which
included a gardening green thumb. The lake was where the
family spent most of their summer days. He enjoyed showing
off his water skiing tricks and skills to both friends and
family. Christmas was by far his favorite holiday and he
took pride in having the most beautifully decorated home.
He was a master in the kitchen and loved to entertain.