Arthur Partin Sr.

Arthur H. Partin Sr. of Matoaca passed away on February 13, 2012 at the age 65. He was retired with 25 years from the US Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons. He started as a Construction Foreman and in ‘84 started working in the Education Department as a Training Instructor, where he taught Vocational Training (Masonry) and for 19 ½ years was a member of the Disturbance Control Team. Artie served his apprenticeship with Daniels and Ingram out of Local Union 8 in Petersburg and in 1976 went to work at Ft. Lee in the Fire Dept. before transferring over to the Bureau of Prisons. For 20 years he was a member of Matoaca Volunteer Fire Dept. and was a Captain and Training Officer. He also helped start the Matoaca JC's where he was an Administrative Vice President. Artie loved hunting and fishing and especially spending time with his friends and family. He had a life membership with Old Prestwood Hunt Club in Brunswick County, a member of Ettrick Hunt Club in Chesterfield and the Matoaca Retirees Club. Artie was also in the Matoaca Sportsman Club since he was 21 years old. Artie loved playing ball and played ball from the time he was 6 years old until he was 62. The last years he played with the Virginians in the Senior Citizen Softball League in Chesterfield. He used to laugh and say he'd play until he was 90 if his body parts would quit falling off. Artie was in the Army from June ‘67 - February ‘70 where after his training at Ft. Benning, Ga. and Ft. Rucker, Ala., he was stationed in Germany in Headquarters Company 7th Army SUBCOM until ‘68 when he volunteered for Vietnam went through Jungle Training at Ft. Lewis, Washington. After arriving in Vietnam in January 1969 he proudly served as a Sergeant with the 1st Aviation Brigade 134th Assault Helicopter Company in Phu Heip, South Vietnam where he received the National Defense Medal, Good Conduct Medal, The Vietnamese Service Medal, the Vietnamese Campaign Medal with four Campaign Stars, the Army Commendation Medal and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation. Artie and Ruby enjoyed going to his Companies military reunions where he saw his old friends that he served with and meeting new friends that were there before and after he was. Their home was always open to them. Artie was also a Free Mason in Blandford Lodge #3 and was a 32 degree Mason in Richmond Scottish Rite in the Valley of Richmond, and always said that his life wouldn't have been the same if it wasn't for his fellowship with Masonry and that of his brothers in the lodge. He is survived by his wife Ruby Traylor Partin. They were married on December 26, 1968. They have three children Cathee Andrews (Alan), Arthur H. (Bubba) Partin Jr. (Kara), Danny R. Partin (Kae), and five grandchildren, Branson Andrews, Kolby Partin, Courtlyn Partin, Langston Partin, Danny Partin and Korey Martin. He has one sister, Catherine (Kitty) Lockett and one brother, Carlton Barnes (Joan) and numerous nieces and nephews. Artie wrote his obituary. Family night will be held at the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Smalls Funeral Homes and Crematory 2033 Boulevard on Thursday, February 16th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. There will be a Graveside service with Masonic Rites at the Partin Family Cemetery on Little Road in Matoaca on Friday, February 17th at 2:00 p.m.