Isaiah Arthur

Isaiah Harmon Arthur, better known as “Ike”, to many passed away at 84 years old on May 30th, 2023, in Pullman, WA, at the Regency Memory Care Unit. Ike was born on March 3rd, 1939, at his parents home in East Kamiah to David Arthur and Clara L. (Lockwood) Arthur. Ike was a member of the Nez Perce Tribe. Isaiah attended the Kamiah Schools. He grew up in East Kamiah. He loved running around the Hillside behind First Presbyterian Church.

As the oldest son, Ike had a lot more responsibilities than the rest of his siblings. He had to quit school after the 8th grade to start working, to help support his family to put food on the table for his parents and brothers and sisters. Ike started working for Potlach Mill in Kamiah, Idaho in 1957. Ike worked there until Potlach shut down in 1984. Ike was one of the couple hundred workers who was transferred to Potlach Mill in Lewiston, Idaho on April 1st, 1984. Ike and Verna moved to Clarkston, WA, once he was transferred. There was a huge shutdown at Potlach of Lewiston in June of 1984. Ike started working for his step-daughter and step-son in law that summer of 1984 at Leach Well Drilling, stationed out of Clarkston, WA. He stayed with them until 1986. In 1986, Ike restarted working for Potlach, but this time at the mill in St. Maries, Idaho and stayed there for 3 years, until he was transferred back to Lewiston, Idaho, until his retirement in 2001. Later, Potlach Mills, became Clearwater Paper. After he retired, he went into Lawn mowing business, and mowed lawns until 2016.

Ike met the love of his life in 1959 at The Rock, right across from his parents house, but didn’t even know it at the time. Ike and Verna (Prewitt) Arthur were married on August 12th, 1962, in Caldwell, Idaho. Ike instantly inherited a huge family, consisting of three step-sons, one step-daughter, and two step-grandsons. Ike and Verna raised two children on Main Street in Kamiah, Idaho. Ike was an active member of the Pine Ridge Baptist Church in Kamiah for 11 years. He helped start the Emergency Warehouse in Kamiah, which is now well-known as Loving Hands Thrift on Highway 12 between Kooskia and Kamiah. At the time of the start up, they used a small building in the Bethman Addition next to the VFW Hall.

Ike liked to hunt when he was younger and fish—especially with the grandchildren. Ike loved camping and be out in the mountains getting wood to heat the house. Ike and Verna’s favorite campground was O’Hara, on the Selway river. He also loved going on 2 week camping trips every single summer. They loved to go on drives every weekend that the family wasn’t camping. We never knew what road we were going to be on, during the drive. One of the sons told them that “one day we are going to run out of gas and no one will known where we are at!” Of course, that never happened, but could have!

Ike loved being around the family, no matter the occasion, holidays, barbeques, camping or lazy Sundays.

Isaiah Arthur is survived by his son Daniel Arthur of Kamiah, and daughter Susan (Arthur) Merrell (Leon) of Salem, Oregon; two step-sons Ronald Willoughby Sr. (Kay) of Lewiston, Idaho, Gary Willoughby (Judy) of Bristol, Florida; two brothers Victor Arthur of Pocatello, Idaho, Aaron Arthur, of Warm Springs, Oregon and two sisters Verna Johnson and Donna Konen, both of Lewiston, Idaho. Ike also has 14 grandchildren and many great grandchildren plus many nieces and nephews that he loved.

Isaiah Arthur is preceded in death by his parents, David and Clara Arthur, his wife Verna Arthur, three brothers, Mark Arthur, Walter Arthur and Edison Arthur. Paternal Grandparents, Reverend Mark and Mary Arthur and Maternal grandparents Lincoln and Amy Lockwood. A step-son Charles Willoughby, a step-daughter Cathy Leach, and also a step-granddaughter Crystal Graves and a step-grandson Nathanial Leach Jr. (Speedy).

The family would like to thank all of the staff at Regency Memory Care Unit of Pullman, WA, for taking good care of Isaiah Arthur, while he was there.

A funeral service will be held at 2pm at Trenary Funeral Home, with a graveside committal to be held at afterwards on June 11th, 2023 at Kamiah City Cemetery