The life of Arthur Angood began on January 16, 1934, in Battle Creek, MI. He was born the son of S. Bernard and Marguerite (Stevens) Angood. From an early age, the work ethic, caring about individuals, and tirelessly giving back to the community he loved was instilled in him by his parents.
Art attended Roosevelt Elementary School, Southwestern Junior High School and graduated from Battle Creek Central high school in 1952. From there, he went on to pursue his BA degree in English at the University of Michigan. Art was a member of the track team in college and served as president of Delta Chi Fraternity before graduating in 1956. While a student, Art was introduced to Judith Lee Arnold, a fellow student on a blind date. They were married on May 11, 1957in her parents living room in Flint. Judy had just graduated and Art had recently been commissioned and was awaiting his orders. He was able to obtain a weekend pass so the ceremony could take place. After marrying, Art and Judy moved to Alameda, CA where he served for four years as an aviations officer with carrier-based fighter squadrons on the USS Bennington and USS Midway aircraft carriers. Following his discharge in 1960, Art remained in the US Naval Reserves until 1968. Later he earned his MA degree from Western Michigan University.
When Art and Judy returned to Battle Creek following his discharge, he began teaching civics at NOrthwestern Junio High School. He was later a counselor and assistant principal there. In 1989 he became principal and Southeastern Junior High School. In 1968 Art was promoted to central office staff, and retired in 1989 as Associate Superintendent of Personnel. At his retirement celebration, Art remarked in his speech to the community that he was most proud of the fact that the Battle Creek Public Schools educated him, that education allowed him to come back and help lead the district that educated his two sons.
During his time in the district, Art took a keen interest in the lives of young people. He was always one to offer sound advice, coaching in life skills and just general friendship to students, many of whom still remained in contact with him until he died.
During Art’s time with the school district, he was also a board member of the Miller Foundation, a position he held for 45 years. His love of the Battle Creek community and his desire to make his community a better place to live for all was noticed by Robert B. Miller who asked him to take over the duties of CEO of the Foundation. Art enthusiastically guided the foundation for 10 years. Later, through a collaboration with the foundation board of directors, he spearheaded the founding and development of Robert B. Miller College. He served as its first President before retiring in 2005. Additionally, he was instrumental in the development of the Cereal City Museum and was a past member of the Kellogg Community College Advisory Board.
During Art’s 70-year span of time in the education field, he also found time to give back to his community in many ways. Never one to say no to the First Presbyterian Church where he was a member since 1947, Art took on many roles over his life serving as an Elder on the Board of Deacons and helping with many fund-raising projects. During his lifetime as well, Art chaired or co-chaired many fund-raising campaigns with United Way, United Arts Council and The Charitable Union to name a few. Art also served as a board member of the Y Center. In 1990, he received the George Award. Although this award was given to publicly recognize Art’s selfless contributions, he didn’t seek recognition. His satisfaction came from making his community a better place.
In Art’s leisure time, he was an avid reader. He also enjoyed model trains, sailing, stamp collecting and photography. He spent yeard tracing the Angood family history through correspondence with relatives all around the world. Art was also an avid University of Michigan football fan. FOr many years, he and Judy held season tickets.
Art’s one true source of relaxation and solitude came from spending long weekends with Judy at their cottage on Little Long Lake for over 45 years. Many of his weekends were spent fishing from his boat while listening to the Detroit Tigers. This is where Art was able to rest, relax and recharge before saying yes to the next need in the community that requested his leadership.
Over the past five years, Art began to struggle with the onset of Parkinson’s disease, It slowed his gait, it brought on tremors and it slowly caused times of occasional confusion. It never took away his love of his community, his joy of visiting with friends and former students, his times of spending summer afternoons sitting in his chair on the deck at the lake and the love he had for his entire family.
Eventually though, the effect of the Parkinson’s disease was too much and the last week of his life was spent in the wonderful care of Glenn Arbor Hospice where he died Saturday February 20, 2021.
In addition to his wife Judy, Art’s family includes his sons; Capt. USN Ret. David (Heidi) Angood of Chula Vista, CA, Todd (Lynette) Angood of Boardman, OH, grandchildren; Trevor (Vic Ly) Angood of San Diego, CA, Kaitlyn (Fabian) Krishna of Chula Vista, CA and great-grandchildren Oliver and Penelope Krishna. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, John B. Angood. Fter cremation, a portion of Art’s cremated remains will be buried at his family’s plot at Memorial Park Cemetery. Later this summer his family will gather for a private memorial to place his cremains in Little Long Lake, Art’s refuge for 45 years. In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to make a donation in Art’s memory to Glenn Arbor Hospice Care. Friends are also encouraged to read Art’s life story and share a special thought or memory of him for his family to cherish on his memory page at www.farleyestesdowdle.com. Arrangements by Farley Estes & Dowdle Funeral Homes & Cremation Care.
