Arthur "Art" Lamar Caples, Sr.
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Arthur "Art" Lamar Caples, Sr.
March 17, 1935 - October 1, 2016
Arthur “Art” Lamar Caples
Sr., 81, passed Saturday, October 1, 2016, from advanced late stage Alzheimer’s,
he also suffered from complications of diabetes. Art was born on March 17, 1935, in Jasper,
Texas, to Lalor Matlock Caples, and Horace Caples; he was a lifelong resident
of Southeast Texas.
Art, known as Caveman Caples
at French High School, was designated All-City Best Guard; French won District
Football Championship during the 1952 season.
Art was a veteran who served
in the United States Army as an HVAC/Refrigeration Instructor. Art also
served in the Army Security Agency supporting a joint CIA Cold War project
called Operation Gold (Berlin Tunnel). Art met his sweetheart and wife of
59 years, Gudrun, in Berlin while on mission there.
Upon returning to Texas he
worked in various occupations before returning to the HVAC/Refrigeration
industry to serve as a Mechanic and Installer. He started his own business and later worked at Natkin Service Company
where he also served as union steward. He
retired from AAA Service Company.
Art enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, and visiting
with everyone. He was a founder of the Annual Servicemen’s Fishing Trip
(Tournament) where the first was held in 1965 at Mill Creek Park, Lake Sam
Rayburn. He enjoyed fish fry’s and barbeques, smoking (chewing) El Producto
cigars and drinking beer with friends and neighbors (his extended family). His favorite singer was Jimmie Rodgers
(country circa 1920’s and 1930’s). Art liked to visit or travel with his family
and lifelong friends and saw much of the United States, and Western Europe. Most of all he loved Southeast Texas its
trees, the Big Thicket, Neches River, bayous, lakes and observing its wildlife.
Art is survived by his wife,
Gudrun Schulze Caples; children, Arthur “Art” Lamar Caples Jr., and Ingrid Gail
Caples; grandchild, Zackery Lee Caples; an aunt, Lorene Forner; and numerous
cousins, nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers
Harold, and Bobby: grandsons Kasey Don, and Troy Jerome;
and daughter in-law, Janice R. Caples; and numerous family members, and dear friends.
A gathering of Mr. Caples’
family and friends will begin at 12:00 p.m. with his funeral service to follow
at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, October 6, 2016, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major
Drive, Beaumont. His interment and graveside service with honors will follow at
Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont; all are welcome to attend.
Art
lived a life well lived, Desiderata style; he will be missed.
Memorial contributions
may be made to Harbor Foundation (Harbor Hospice House), Post Office Box 21463,
Beaumont, Texas 77720 www.HarborFoundation.com.
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