Arthur Castleman

Arthur Adams Castleman was born on February 15, 1948 to John Earl and Hattie Lee Adams Castleman in Clarksville, Texas. The hospital bill was $17.  His father was always bitter and felt he over paid; for the hospital, not his son.  Arthur would grow up in the Midway community between Detroit and Bagwell, Texas. He graduated from Detroit High School in 1966 where he excelled in math, basketball, driving a pink rambler convertible, and general shenanigans. 

Arthur was a true teen of the ‘60’s, ever searching for the perfect muscle car and the perfect girl to sit beside him in it.  He found that girl in Sherry Lee Vickers, an army brat who was sent back stateside from Hawaii to her grandparents in Detroit, Texas. The two quickly fell for each other and, after a failed attempt to elope to Mexico, the love birds would marry on February 4, 1967, which would begin 53 years of love, laughs, mischief, tears, arguments, and countless weekend getaways. 

Art and Sherry started out small in Paris ,Texas welcoming their firstborn, a daughter Jeannie.  Soon after, they settled in the suburbs of Dallas in Irving, where on a cold Feb day in 1973 they would welcome “the baby”: a 1957 Chevrolet Panel Wagon with glass panels. At this same time, they also welcomed an actual baby: their son John Arthur. It should be noted that John Arthur is still waiting for permission to drive the Chevy. Deciding that life in suburbia was not their calling, Sherry and Art returned to their hometown of Detroit and raised their family for the next 52 years before moving into “town” aka Paris.  

Arthur, like all Castleman men before him, was a vivid story teller, general jokester and ruthless domino player.  Not even his mother was safe in a game.  He was a Master Mason of over 50 years and past Deputy District Grand Master.  He had a love of all things related to classic cars which he passed on to his son John. He loved playing “cow pasture pool” (otherwise known as golf), watching old western movies, and gardening. The latter he inherited from his mother, only not her ability. Like apple pie, Hattie Lee’s garden was second to none.  

He had a love of being outside, heavy equipment, and traveling all over - especially with Sherry.  Which is why the work of construction, heavy equipment operator, coal miner, and over the road truck driver were perfect for him.  

Arthur passed peacefully on Monday, August 10, 2020 in Paris, Texas.  He is survived by his wife Sherry of 53 years,  his daughter Jeannie Tucker of Detroit, and son and son-in-law John Castleman and Thomas Dent of Wall, NJ.  His pride and joy, his grandchildren: Amber Lott and husband Nathan of Pattonville and Dewayne “Dew” Tucker and fiancé Lee Goodwin of Detroit.  Art would tell you that Amber and Dew were grand, but not great, because he also boasted that he had seven great ones! Asher and Aysen Lott of Pattonville, and Zoelee Looney, Mykah Tucker, Tinlee Tucker, Jayden Goodwin and Madison Gadis all of Detroit.  And extra special grand-daughter-in-law Ashley Looney. 

Art is also survived by his big sister Wanda Jean Hackney of Collinsville, Tx and her children: Cyndee Rutherford and husband Gary of Celina, TX, Oneta Nelson of Collinsville, TX, and Wade Kennedy and wife Francis of Tioga, TX.   Art often reminisced about how much he loved watching them grow up with him.  Other nieces and nephews include Cassidy, Marty, Aaron, Leeann, Wyatt, April, Rush and Toby. All who would forever change his name to “Aunt Arthur”.

Arthur leaves behind his sisters and brothers-in-law: Donna and Richard Jackson, John Lynn and Earlene Vickers of Blossom, TX. Amanda Sturgeon, and Robert and Wilma Vickers of Detroit. 

Art also leaves behind many great-nieces and nephews, cousins, classmates, friends and fellow masons. 

Art was preceded in death by his parents and brothers-in-law Wayland Kennedy and Elwood Hackney and was buried in a private service in Blanton Creek Cemetery in Bagwell, Texas. A celebration of Art’s life will take place once the current COVID crisis is over. 

In lieu of flowers, you may make donations in Art’s two favorite things: the Blanton Creek Cemetery Association; C/O Ronnie J. Yarbrough, P.O. Box 66 Detroit, Texas 75436, or the Scottish Rites Hospital for Children. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Arthur Castleman, please visit our floral store.