Jack D. McArthur, 86, was born on July 10, 1928, in Colorado Springs, Colo., and passed away on Dec. 20, 2014, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Jack was born to J.E. and Anna Elizabeth McArthur in Colorado Springs, Colo., the youngest of nine children.

Jack met the love of his life, Wilma, when he was working in Utah on the railroad with his friend Lew Littleton. Lew became Wilma's stepfather when he married Wilma's mother and later became Jack's father-in-law when Jack and Wilma were married on Dec. 5, 1948, in Vernal, Utah.

Jack and Wilma owned a farm in the Vernal area before Jack enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1951. Jack was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, and Columbus Airforce Base in Ohio during the Korean War.

In 1953 while stationed at Columbus Air Force Base, Jack and Wilma had a son, Lewis "Lew" McArthur. After his enlistment, Jack moved his family back to northeast Utah where they continued to farm and were members of the LDS Church. During this time Jack also worked as a roughneck in the oil fields and did road construction.

In 1966, Jack moved his family to Lewiston, Idaho, where he opened Jack's American Service Station on the southeast corner of 21st Street and 11th Avenue. Jack also worked as a warehouseman for Payless Drug, managed a Conoco Service Station, and retired from the Bennedict Seed Company in the early 1990s.

Jack enjoyed riding 4-wheelers and RVing (snowbirding) with Wilma to Arizona. He enjoyed working in his shop making yard art, working on cars (especially VWs), and building trailers. He took great pride in keeping his house and yard in great shape.

Jack enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, of whom he was very proud.

Jack was a master of all trades and never met a challenge too tough to try at least once! He was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone and everyone. He never met a stranger, and he always had a joke or two to share with his friends and family. His blue eyes twinkled with laughter and love.

In 2012, Jack and Wilma moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, to be closer to their son and grandchildren.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, his son Bradley McArthur; brothers Olin "OK," Judson, William, Edward and Edgar; and sisters Rosemary, Jewel, and Anita; and his good friend, Ray Smith.

Jack is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Wilma McArthur; his son Lew (Betty) McArthur; grandchildren Scott (Joanna) McArthur, Renee (CJ) White, and Kandice McArthur; great-grandchildren Kade White, Mykal Sheldon, Jackson White, and Banks McArthur; nephew Robert McArthur; good friends Ken Taylor (Elaine), Cheryl Smith (Dave), Al Smith (Marion), and Loren Sutton; and many loving friends and relatives.

You are missed Grandpa! We all loved you so much! It was hard to let you go, but I know we will see you again in heaven!

A memorial celebrating Jack's life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015, at the English Funeral Chapel, 1700 N. Spokane St., Post Falls, Idaho.

English Funeral Chapel of Post Falls has been entrusted to handle final arrangements. Please visit Jack's online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.