Arthur G. Birkhimer Jr., 43
Arthur G. Birkhimer Jr., 43, passed away on Monday, Jan. 5, 2009, in Kalispell, of natural causes. He was born on June 18, 1965, in Newport Beach, Calif., at Hoag Memorial Hospital, the son of Arthur G. Birkhimer Sr. and Diane L. Thompson.
Art was delivered by his stepfather, Dr. Art Thompson. He spent his early years in Huntington Beach and Palo Alto, Calif. In 1978-1979 he lived in Helena, before moving to Kalispell where he graduated from Flathead High School.
After graduation he served for several years in the Navy on the aircraft carrier USS Lexington. He was always proud of his service, and especially of "his ship."
He then worked in Virginia and Florida for several years. He returned to Montana in 1991. In 1995 he graduated from the University of Montana, School of Technology, with an associate's degree in automotive technology. In June of 1997, he started working for Automotion in Kalispell, and worked there until his death.
Art's passions were fixing cars, and creating his tin men out of funnels and cans for family and friends. He loved the outdoors — hunting, fishing, and especially watching the bald eagles on Flathead Lake. He loved collecting eagle art and stuffed bears. He was also passionate about the Chicago Bears football team.
He will be missed especially by his best friends in life, Jay and Dawndi Cameron, and their three daughters, Tamierra, Merissa, and Darrissa, who thought of him as an uncle.
He was preceded in death by both sets of grandparents, Charles and Marie Birkhimer, and Matthew and Zora Krasovic.
He is survived by his father, Arthur Birkhimer Sr., of Ocala, Fla.; his mother, Diane, and stepfather, Dr. Arthur Thompson, of Lakeside; two brothers, Matthew Thompson of Fullerton, Calif., and Brad Thompson and his wife, Kayla, of Kalispell; also his nephew, Conner Thompson; and his two nieces, Alexandra and Madeline Thompson; one aunt, Sandra Johnson, and cousin, Christi Russell, both of Fullerton; three uncles, Chuck and Marlin of Ocala, and Roger of Johnstown, Pa.; one aunt, Marion, of Ocala; four cousins, Lisa, Cheryll, Gordon and Roger D.; also four stepsisters and three stepbrothers, Peggy, Janet, Sharon, Christine, David, Donald and Leonard, of California, Arizona and New Mexico.
Memorial services for Art will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at Lakeside Chapel, with Pastor Dennis Reese officiating.
The family suggests that any memorial contributions be sent to your favorite charity.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Art's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Art's guest book.