Arthur passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 22, 2012 with his son Arthur Tracy Converse and daughter–in–law Mary Converse by his side. He was born on June 17, 1921.Art is preceded in death by parents George and Grace Converse; wife Ruth (Born) Converse; sister Jackie Klimke; brother Gilbert Converse and grandson Michael Converse.Surviving family members include sons George and Arthur (Tracy) Converse; sister Mary Hardin; daughter in laws Samantha (Fox) and Mary Converse; grandchildren Chad, Haley, Jessica Converse and David Fox Simpson; great grandchild Cheyenne Fitz and Zane Cook; nephews Arthur Crawford and Kenny Converse; nieces Judy (Converse) Rojas and Karen (Klimke) Scott. And second wife Kathleen (Orndoff) Converse.The first born child of George G. Converse and Grace (Swiger) Converse, Art was born in Talihina, Oklahoma June 17, 1921. In 1927 the family moved to Chino Valley, Arizona (former Fort Whipple) to manage the 3521 acre Del Rio Rancho for the Santa Fe Railroad, shipping water, raised cattle, turkeys, chickens and livestock feed to support the Harvey Houses situated along the railway from Alabama to California along with the Grand Canyon El Tovar Hotel and village. Art attended high school in Prescott. During summer vacations Art worked as a trail guide at the Grand Canyon. Art enlisted into the U.S. Army on June 15, 1942 at the basic rank of Private as part of the 81st Infantry Wildcat Division at Camp Rucker, Alabama and was assigned to Company E of the 323 Infantry. Promoted to First Sergeant on October 18, 1945 and Honorable Discharged on November 29, 1945 Art was wounded during the battle of Peleliu Island of the Palau Group on November 20, 1944. After the war, Art continued his education at the University of Arizona and married his high school sweetheart (Ruth N. Born). He received his degree in Animal Husbandry and was an outstanding football player for the Arizona Wildcats, winning the Governors Cup (most outstanding college football player for the state of Arizona, 1948). After college he had the opportunity to play professional football for the New York Giants or the Chicago Bears, but elected to enter the Banking industry.His banking career was with 1st National Bank of Arizona which was later acquired by Wells Fargo. He started in Yuma, Arizona and worked his way up the ladder to manager in Safford, Arizona. Art was promoted to Main Branch Manager in Yuma, Arizona and eventually Area Vice President for Yuma County. Art finish his banking career as Area Vice President of the White Mountains – Pinetop Area, Arizona, retiring from the bank on August 1, 1986. After caring for his wife (Ruth) who had Alzheimer's until her death in 1984, Art met and married Kathleen Orndoff in 1987. They shared a summer home in Pinetop, Az. and a winter home on the Saddlebrooke golf course near Tucson, Az. Art lived his remaining 10 months in the home of his youngest son Arthur Tracy Converse and wife Mary.A Celebration for Arts life will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2012, 2:00 p.m., Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, 1550 S. 14th Ave., Yuma, AZ. (928) 782-5155, reception immediately following. Please sign the guestbook at www.yumasun.com.