Obituary
Arthur R. Van Pelt Jr., 91, passed away at home on Thursday August 22, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. Born February 20, 1928 in Jacksonville, Florida, moving to Central Florida when he retired in 1985. Although he only completed the 9th grade, he was a welder, an inventor, and had a profound ability to repair anything from small appliances to engines. During WWII, Arthur served in the US Coast Guard. He retired after 35 years of service with Amoco Oil Company where he began as groundskeeper advancing to a plant manager in Montgomery, Alabama. He enjoyed playing softball and coaching his sons in little league, wood working, and playing cards and board games with his family.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two wives, Mary Wrenn Van Pelt (1951-1993) and Marjorie Ross Van Pelt (1994-2010) and great grandson Job Branning. He leaves to cherish his memory his children Arlette Dennard of Edgewater Fl., Annella Diz of Edgewater, Fl., Arthur Van Pelt, III (Lane) of Powder Springs, Ga., Rodney Van Pelt (LuAnn) of Jacksonville, Fl., Nancy Dennard (Richard) of DeLand, Fl., Polly Granger (Tommy) of New Smyrna Beach, and Jeff Ross of Edgewater, a brother George Van Pelt (Gladys) of Longwood, Fl., a sister Sarah Higley of Jacksonville, Fl., 10 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren along with numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held in October in Jacksonville more details to follow. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Smyrna Freewill Baptist Church in New Smyrna Beach Florida where Arthur was a long standing member.
Prayers for the entire family during this time.
Jimmy and Burdette Wheeler