Obituaries

Ken McArthur

Kenneth Allen

McArthur, 92, of McArthur, passed away at his home on Dec. 18, 2021. He was born on April 9, 1929 in San Francisco and the youngest son of the late Roderick and Anna (Albaugh) McArthur. He had an older brother, John, and an older sister, Annabelle. He lived his entire life in McArthur, except for briefly living in Berkeley as an infant.

Kenneth’s grandfather, John McArthur Jr., emigrated from Scotland and came to the Fall River Valley in 1868. He established the community of McArthur, as well started the farming and ranching operations that continue today. Kenneth’s father Roderick McArthur was the youngest of John Jr and Catherine McArthur’s 11 children. Roderick’s brother, Frank McArthur, was responsible for saving the McArthur-Burney Falls and nearby land from development, by purchasing the property and presenting it as a gift to the state in the 1920s in honor of their parents John Jr and Catherine McArthur.

In his youth, Kenneth attended Beaver Creek School, which was located on the southeast edge of the McArthur Home Ranch where Kenneth resided until his death. He graduated from Fall River High School in 1947 and attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. He spoke proudly that both of his grandchildren are graduates of his college alma mater.

Kenneth often reminisced about his entire summers spent at his dad’s cattle camp, White Horse. He would ride through the cattle every day, hunt and fish. He continued camping and hunting throughout most of his life at White Horse, as well as Stouts Meadows with close friends and family.

He had moral toughness – a man’s integrity and honesty meant a lot to him; all he needed was a handshake. He adored, deeply loved and respected his parents. He lost his father, Roderick, from a heart attack at age 15 and fondly told stories of being with him as much as he could. He spoke a lot of the day he lost his dad and how trying those times were for his mom and family after his father passed. He was thankful for having such a good mother and admired her for being a gracious hostess and community member.

In the 1950s, Kenneth traveled and competed in Shorthorn bull shows, attaining recognition for many champion bulls. In the 1960s, he continued to develop his cattle operation as well as development of farming crops at the Home Ranch. In 1970, he was one of 12 ranchers who first received special agriculture zoning by Shasta County to place their farmlands in ag preserve districts through Williamson Act contracts. He remained in the cattle and farming business, forming a partnership with his son, Craig McArthur – growing hay, mint, wild rice and leasing land to strawberry plant growers. He was an excellent steward of land and his livestock. Always making sure they were fed and watered – no matter how hot, how cold or how tired he was. In those days, feeding was an effort in below zero temperatures with less efficient equipment. Those painstaking events made for great stories for his family and grandkids – he was a great storyteller!

Kenneth was very personable and large in stature (6’ 4”) – a very hard worker for self and community. He served on the board of directors for various organizations: Federal Land Bank, 32 years; Fire Chief of the McArthur Volunteer Fire Department, 8 years; Soil Conservation District; Fire Commissioner, 6 years; Mosquito Abatement District; Fort Crook Museum; and a member of the Fall River-Big Valley Cattlemen’s Association, California Farm Bureau and Redding Elks Lodge. He was an honorary life member of FFA, and a proud Mason of the Fort Crook Lodge No 250.

In 1981, he was the grand marshal of the Intermountain Fair Parade. He rode his 25-year-old quarter horse Braz De Oro, the great- great-grandson of a horse his father gave to his mother as a wedding gift in 1921. During his life, he loved the great outdoors, hunting, fishing, managing his livestock and working and riding horses. He worked hard, played hard and influenced many young lives instilling in them with honesty and good work ethic.

Kenneth is survived by his wife of 44 years, Evelyn D. McArthur; his children Craig (Marlene) McArthur and Mary Lynn (Don) Hartlund of Walnut Creek; two grandchildren Jackie (Tucker) Knutz and Kenneth (Shelby) McArthur; and four great grandchildren: Cade, Cooper, Claire and Rosie; stepson Dan (Lynda) Edwards of Canby Oregon. Kenneth is preceded in death by his “Stepkid,” as he would lovingly call her, Jeanee (Dan) Hutchins. He also leaves behind many loved cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was clear thinking until the end, feeding pets and birds, providing instructions, making stock market transactions and playing computer games. His family admired him, loved him and recognizes he was one of a kind.

To honor Kenneth’s wishes, a private family graveside service was held at Pine Grove Cemetery. The family extends their sincerest gratitude to friends and family for their prayers and many expressions of love and sympathy. For those who wish to make a memorial contribution, they can be made to Fort Crook Museum, PO Box 397, Fall River Mills, CA 96028.

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