Arthur "Art" VanVeKoven

"Arthur “Art” VanVekoven, 84, passed away peacefully at his home in Poteau, Oklahoma on August 4, 2010, after his courageous battle with lung cancer. Born July 5th, 1926 in Westville, IL, Art was one of six children of Jewish immigrants Jean Francois VanVeKoven and Alice Marie (Laurent) VanVeKoven of Charleroi, Belgium. On January 5, 1945 Art enlisted in the US Army in Chicago, IL. In June of 1945, Art was transferred to Company C of the 640th Tank Destroyer Battalion on Leyte in the Philippine Islands. While awaiting deployment for the invasion of Japan, his unit fought in several skirmishes on the islands of Leyte and Mindanao; the United States dropped the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima, Japan on August 6, 1945 and on Nagasaki, Japan on August 9, 1945 which resulted in the Japanese unconditional surrender. Although the Japanese had surrendered, the 640th Tank Destroyer Battalion was required to continue fighting in skirmishes against the Japanese who had not heard that the war had ended. After WW-II, Art received an honorable discharge from the Army, obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Saint Leo University, Saint Leo, Florida and his Master of Arts Degree from Central Michigan University, Troy, Michigan. His career with the United States Federal Government spanned thirty-two years and incorporated positions as an Industrial Engineer Branch Chief, Maintenance Manager as well as an Information systems Management and Logistics Engineering Division Chief. After retiring from the Federal Government, he worked as an Information systems design and program manger for the State of Oklahoma Tax Commission, taught Computer Science at Carl Albert Junior College in Poteau, Oklahoma and worked as a case manager for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services in Poteau, OK. Art was a loving husband, father, and loyal friend. He was known for his easy, calm demeanor, quick wit and mischievous sense of humor. He enjoyed his life and lived it to the fullest for his family, not out of obligation, but out of love. He was happiest when he was with his wife and sons and when he was hunting, fishing or camping. He took pleasure in growing a vegetable garden each year. He played the accordion, piano, and harmonica, tinkered with small engines, held an amateur radio license, built several homes, rode ATV’s, boated, hiked, he was a spelunker, past Commander of American Legion Post 288 in Panama, OK, Lead Deacon at the Calvary Baptist Church in Las Cruces, NM and enjoyed researching and studying the Holy Bible. He was unselfish and always willing to help anyone in need. He loved God and Jesus Christ and taught his sons and foster children that God is the answer to all that we encounter in life. There are not enough words to describe how great a man Art was. He will be missed by all of his family and friends who loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Jean, Amiable, and Frank VanVeKoven as well as his sister, Helen (VanVeKoven) Wright, his daughter, Lana Faye (VanVeKoven) Morris, grandson, Jacob Allen VanVekoven and granddaughter, Jennifer Lynn (VanVeKoven) Hamilton. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Lula Faye (Green) VanVeKoven of the home, three sons, William “Junior“ of Poteau, Gary of Des Moines, IA and Kenneth of McAlester, OK, brother George VanVeKoven of Wilmington Beach, NC, nine grandchildren, three great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and foster children. Special thanks to Pastor Jackie Edwards and wife Peggy, ladies at Pleasant Valley Free Will Baptist Church, Charlotte LeBouef, Pocola, OK, Glory Young, Wister, OK, EOMC Home Health nurses Wilma, Debra and Gerald and Professional Home Hospice nurse Noreen." Funeral services will be held 11 am, Saturday, August 7, 2010 at Pleasant Valley Free Will Baptist Church in Poteau, OK with Rev. Jackie Edwards officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhill Cemetery, Cameron, OK. Pallbearers will be Robert VanVeKoven, Timothy VanVeKoven, Aaron VanVeKoven, and A.J. Hanna