Walter “Art” Arteaga, 79, of Beaumont died Wednesday, August 10, 2011, at Collier Park in Beaumont.  A native of Port Arthur, he was born October 29, 1931, to Aurora Diaz Arteaga and Walter E. Arteaga.  A resident of Beaumont for over fifty years, he was employed with Texas Employment Commission, International Paint, and finally retired from Bethlehem Steel.  He was a veteran of the United States Air Force.   Survivors include his children, Kele Arteaga and his wife, Deina of Katy, Kim Williams and her husband, Jimmy of Beaumont, Darrolynn Ford and her husband, Jerry of Beaumont, Linda Owen of Lumberton, and Mark McCarthy of Iraq; brother, Ramon Arteaga of Beaumont; fourteen grandchildren; twenty-one great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild.   He is preceded in death by his wife of over thirty years, Yvette Giffard-Bouvier Arteaga; parents; sister, Raquel Saenz; and special friend, Vivian Ramsey.   His funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, August 12, 2011, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.  A gathering of his family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening, August 11, 2011, at Broussard’s.   Memorial contributions may be made to Texas Oncology- Beaumont Mamie McFaddin Ward Cancer Center, 690 N. 14th Street, Beaumont, Texas  77702.  

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Art’s caregivers, Neisha, Penny, Brenda, Krystle, and Sunshine and Texas Home Health Hospice.