Harold Dean Arter Sr., 84, of Shady Point, OK passed from this life on Friday, September 13, 2019 at Fort Smith, AR. He was born on January 29, 1935 at Tahona, OK to Everett & Sally (Griffin) Arter.
Mr. Arter graduated from Panama High School in 1953. In 1954 he married his sweetheart, Geneve Louise Hobbs.
He was a veteran of the United States Army in which he served as a specialist with the 552 Guided Missile in Europe. Harold worked for Johnson Controls of Poteau for 16 years as a painter, steel fabricator, draftsman, construction engineer and plant foreman.
He then attended Poteau Junior College where he obtained his Associate Degree before going on to Southeastern Oklahoma State College where he graduated with a degree in science and education. He began teaching science at Panama High School at the age of 40. He also taught at McCurtain for a brief time and Keota for seven years. Mr. Arter had such a passion for education and the well-being of his students that he went on to obtain his Master’s Degree in Education Administration from Northeastern State University and returned to Panama as the High School Principal where he stayed until his retirement.
Harold is survived and will be missed by his wife, Geneve, of the home; a son, Harold Dean Arter, Jr. and wife Bonita of Shady Point, OK; a daughter, Regina Ann Nichols and husband Greg of Poteau, OK; three grandsons, Brent Nichols of Poteau, Wesley Dean Arter and Spencer Lee Arter of Shady Point, OK; a sister, Ferna Lee Nunley of Nubbin Ridge, OK; a half-sister, Ruby Potter of Cameron, OK, as well as a host of nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, J.R. Arter; two half-brothers, Eddie & Elbert Arter.
Services will be 10 am, Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at Evans Chapel of Memories, Poteau, OK with Mike Bunch, Matt Stimack & Bryan Fouts officiating. Interment will follow at Oakland Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jerald Fox, Jerry Pierce, Curtis Howze, Kent Bledsoe, Willard Stacy & Bill Lowrimore.
You may leave an online message at www.evansandmillerfuneralhomes.com
The family has chosen to entrust the care of the services to Evans & Miller Funeral Home, POTEAU,
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