Arthur Tatum Milton, Florida Obituary

Arthur Tatum

MSgt. Arthur G. “Art” Tatum (Ret), of the Chumuckla community, passed away Wednesday, July 18, 2018, at the age of 88, after an extended illness. Art was born December 30, 1929, in Alabama, to the late Arthur G. and Ethel (Reeves) Tatum, Sr. Art retired from the Army after 26 1/2 years of service to his country. In 1953, he took part in the “Operation Upshot-Knothole” which consisted of eleven nuclear test shots in the Nevada desert. He was also an instructor in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in 1963. Art was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Free Mason, certified on July 25, 1971, and issued by the Consistory Valley of Germany Orient of California. Art loved to fish and enjoyed cookouts with his friends and family. He loved to garden and especially enjoyed tending to his farm animals that included goats, peacocks, chickens, horses and a Shetland pony. He had a special Belgian horse that he named Big John, and two very special dogs, Duke and Buster. Art was preceded in death by his first wife, Hannelore. He is survived by his children, Margaret (Jim) Hardin, Glenn (Linda) Tatum and Ken (Trula) Tatum; one granddaughter, Lore; great-grandchildren, Saire, Anne, Cicily, and Jessie; three great-great-grandchildren, Melodi, Caydence and Gatlin; step-granddaughter, Martha; step-grandson, Jason; and his step-great-grandchildren, Christen, Makyla, Hunter, Chris, Chase, Cole and Kyle. Art also leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 27 years, Jean Enfinger Tatum, and her family; son, Jerry (Elaine) Lee; daughter, Sharon (Tharold) Pinckard; grandchildren, Jerry (Darla) Lee Jr., Kevin (Kathryn) Pinckard, Keith (Shelly) Pinckard, Leslie (Rich) Diamond and Delana (Justin) Mills; great-grandchildren, Brandon, Josh, Tristan, Chase, Camryn, Ryleigh, Brantley, Kalyn, Kobe, Caden and Isabelle; and one great-great-grandchild, Ayla. A Memorial Service will be held at 5:00 p.m., Saturday, July 28, 2018, at the Chumuckla Community Center (2355 Highway 182, Pace). Lewis Funeral Home, Milton, has been entrusted with local arrangements.
December 30, 1929 - July 18, 201812/30/192907/18/2018
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Obituary

MSgt. Arthur G. “Art” Tatum (Ret), of the Chumuckla community, passed away Wednesday, July 18, 2018, at the age of 88, after an extended illness. Art was born December 30, 1929, in Alabama, to the late Arthur G. and Ethel (Reeves) Tatum, Sr. Art retired from the Army after 26 1/2 years of service to his country. In 1953, he took part in the “Operation Upshot-Knothole” which consisted of eleven nuclear test shots in the Nevada desert. He was also an instructor in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in 1963. Art was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Free Mason, certified on July 25, 1971, and issued by the Consistory Valley of Germany Orient of California. Art loved to fish and enjoyed cookouts with his friends and family. He loved to garden and especially enjoyed tending to his farm animals that included goats, peacocks, chickens, horses and a Shetland pony. He had a special Belgian horse that he named Big John, and two very special dogs, Duke and Buster. Art was preceded in death by his first wife, Hannelore. He is survived by his children, Margaret (Jim) Hardin, Glenn (Linda) Tatum and Ken (Trula) Tatum; one granddaughter, Lore; great-grandchildren, Saire, Anne, Cicily, and Jessie; three great-great-grandchildren, Melodi, Caydence and Gatlin; step-granddaughter, Martha; step-grandson, Jason; and his step-great-grandchildren, Christen, Makyla, Hunter, Chris, Chase, Cole and Kyle. Art also leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 27 years, Jean Enfinger Tatum, and her family; son, Jerry (Elaine) Lee; daughter, Sharon (Tharold) Pinckard; grandchildren, Jerry (Darla) Lee Jr., Kevin (Kathryn) Pinckard, Keith (Shelly) Pinckard, Leslie (Rich) Diamond and Delana (Justin) Mills; great-grandchildren, Brandon, Josh, Tristan, Chase, Camryn, Ryleigh, Brantley, Kalyn, Kobe, Caden and Isabelle; and one great-great-grandchild, Ayla. A Memorial Service will be held at 5:00 p.m., Saturday, July 28, 2018, at the Chumuckla Community Center (2355 Highway 182, Pace). Lewis Funeral Home, Milton, has been entrusted with local arrangements.

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Events

Jul
28
Service
Saturday, July 28 2018
05:00 PM
Chumuckla Community Center
2355 Hwy 182
JAY (Pace), FL 32565
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