Dr. James Arthur, age 96, peacefully entered his Heavenly Home on October 21, 2017 at the home of his son-in-law and daughter, Dr. Dennis and Joan Haskins in Pulaski, Tennessee. Born in Rome, New York, Dr. Arthur practiced General Dentistry for 40 years in North Syracuse NY. He was a graduate of Rome Free Academy and took his pre-dental studies at Cornell University.
As a member of the Cornell R.O.T.C. program, Dr. Arthur, under the Navy V12 accelerated educational system, matriculated at the University of Buffalo Dental School as a Midshipman.
Upon his graduation in 1945, Dr. Arthur, then a Lt. (j.g.) USNR, was assigned to Sampson Naval Training Station at Geneva, New York. At the end of WWII, at the urging of his father-in-law Leon Strobeck, Dr. Arthur started his dental practice on North Main Street, North Syracuse NY.
Dr. Arthur, being in the Naval Reserve Corp., was recalled to active service during the Korean War, serving at various Navy Boot Camps and rising to the rank of Lt. Commander USNR. At the conclusion of the Korean War, Dr. Arthur returned to his North Syracuse dental office and practiced there until his retirement in 1986.
Dr. Arthur was a member of the American Dental Association, the New York State Dental Association, the Onondaga County Dental Association and a charter member of the Syracuse Dental Seminar Society. Dr. Arthur is a past President of the North Syracuse High School Parent Teachers Association and the Dental Consultant to all thirteen Dental Hygienists employed by the North Syracuse School District under the then School Superintendent Dr. Maurice Hammond.
He was a Charter Member of the North Syracuse Rotary Club and a 50 year member of Masonic Lodge 648 F & A Masons. Dr. Arthur was an active member of the North Syracuse Baptist Church, having served on the Missionary Committee, as a Sunday School teacher, a choir member, a Trustee, and a Deacon. Dr. Arthur was also a long-time member of The Gideons International, and a Founding Member of Faith Heritage Christian School. He enjoyed and loved time with his family, fishing, camping, tennis, singing and playing the clarinet and saxophone.
Surviving are two sons: James (Sandra) Arthur Jr. of Belmont NY and Jonathan (Vicki) Arthur of North Syracuse NY; three daughters: Joan (Dennis) Haskins of Pulaski TN, Jean (Steven) Arthur Allen of Pulaski TN, and Judith (Steven) Arthur Brothers of Manlius NY; nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his wife, Laura Strobeck Arthur, and a daughter, Janice (Steven) Fisher.
Services are under the direction of Sears-Middleton-Jones Funeral Home in North Syracuse NY.
Bennett-May-Giles County Funeral Home in charge of arrangements at Pulaski, TN.
Contributions to: North Syracuse Baptist Church, Gideons International, or a favorite charity.
