McArthur, James Edward

James Edward McArthur died Aug. 22, 2009, in St. Luke's Hospital with his wife Karilyn, Aunt Joan, Uncle Norm and stepdaughter, Lisa, at his side after a battle with pancreatic caner. The memorial service will be held at the Cedar Memorial Chapel at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28, 2009. Chaplain (Col.) Lance Kittelson of the 103rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command Army Reserve will officiate.

James Edward McArthur (ret) will be laid to rest at the Rock Island Arsenal National Cemetery.

James McArthur was born in Waukegan, Ill., on Dec. 30, 1946, the son of Gilbert and Roberta Duffield McArthur. He graduated from Jefferson High School on June 3, 1965. He attended Winona State in Winona, Minn., and graduated June 12, 1970. He received his Master of Arts from the University of Iowa on May 16, 1987. “Mac” taught at Wilson School in Cedar Rapids for 34 years. He retired in 2008. Mr. McArthur taught over 3,000 students in that period of time. He was a positive influence on his students and had remained in touch with many of his former students.

He served as a baseball coach for years, served as an announcer with the Kennedy baseball Cougars and worked with the Cedar Rapids baseball league. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan since childhood.

He entered the United States Army on Sept. 22, 1970, and served in the Vietnam War until April 25, 1972. He was a Ranger in A Company 2nd 501st Infantry 101st Airborne Division, Alpha Avengers. He served in the Army Reserve until he retired Sept. 21, 1996. Command Sergeant Major McArthur received many honors during the years he served his beloved country.

“Mac” was a meritorious soldier and an excellent educator. He was a loving husband, father, stepfather, stepgrandfather and a friend to many.

Mac was preceded in death by his mother in February 1999, and his father in October 2004.

Jim is survived by his wife, Karilyn; son, James E. McArthur Jr., his wife Erin McArthur, and son Preston; daughter, Jennifer (Simon Frost) of Woodland Hills, Calif.; stepdaughter, Lisa Stanford; grandchildren, Jessica Rose and Billy Aiello; aunts and uncles, Joan and Norm Krug of Dixon, Ill., Richard and Donna Duffield of Polo, Ill., Geneva Duffield of Weslaco, Texas, Betty Wiiken of Irvington, Va., Milo and Joan O'Dell of Burlington, Wis.; mother-in-law, Ilo Rodenberg; sisters-in-law, Marilyn (Alvin Svestka) and Janet (Steve Christianson); brothers-in-law, William Rodenberg (Beverly) and Robert Rodenberg (Vickie) of Garnavillo, and Brian (Vicki) of Elkader; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mac requested memorial donations be sent to the James E. McArthur Memorial Education Fund.