Arthur Roy Carnes Jr., 93

Arthur Roy Carnes Jr., 93, passed away on Monday, Sept. 27, 2010, of natural causes, at the family home in Kalispell. Arthur was born Feb. 15, 1917, in Des Moines, Iowa, and raised in Dixon, Ill. He attended schools in Dixon and graduated from Missouri Southern State College in Joplin, Mo. Arthur married LaVaughn Helt in Huntsville, Ariz., in 1952. They had been married for 47 years. Arthur was in the 993rd Service Corps and helped build the Alaskan Highway. He also spent two years in China. He worked as a mail carrier in Illinois afterward, and was an aircraft machinist and engineer for 25 years. He spent the first half of his life in the Midwest until moving to Kalispell. Upon moving here, Arthur worked various jobs until his retirement. In 1973, together with his wife, Arthur started a new church which would become the Family Life Christian Center. They both supported many missionaries and Bible colleges also. Arthur enjoyed huckleberry picking with grandchildren and camping. He was one of the regulars at Sykes where he even had a reserved table. Arthur was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur R. Carnes Sr., and Rhoda May Carnes; wife, LaVaughn Carnes; and stepbrother, Fenton Carnes. He is survived by two sons, David R. Carnes and wife, Joellen, of Marysville, Wash., and Arthur R. Carnes III and wife, Dora, or Moore Haven, Fla.; twin daughters, DeAun Tait and husband, James, of Cordell, Okla., and Debra Wolfshorndl and husband, Roger, of Kalispell; 16 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, with a set of twins on the way to make 20. Private graveside services will be held. The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Pinehaven Christian Children s Ranch and School, P.O. Box 940, St. Ignatius, MT 59865-0940. Friends are encouraged to visit the website at www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.