LINDSAY, OKLA. - Arthur “Art” Carroll Gruber, 97, died January 27, 2021 at his home in Lindsay, Oklahoma. He was born on the 12th of March, 1923, the son of William Glen “W.G.” and Nellie B. (Westover) Gruber.
At the age of 17 Art lied about his age so he could join the Navy. After boot camp he was stationed aboard the USS Tennessee and his home port was Hawaii. He was in Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. His ship was heavily damaged but able to sail. After getting out of the harbor they spent almost one year without ever dropping anchor going from Alaska to Australia chasing the Japanese. When his ship came in for repairs he was transferred to the USS Nashville (McArthur’s flagship) and was in Tokyo Bay for the signing of the peace treaty.
He married the love of his life, Betty Jane Welch in Hoisington, Kansas on the 22nd of November 1944. They traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where they stayed for 3 months while he attended water tender school. They then traveled by troop train to San Francisco, California. They were there less than a week when he shipped out. Betty wrote him a letter telling him of her pregnancy. He was unable to return home until he was discharged from the navy. Their first child, who was born one day before their first anniversary, was almost 4 months old the first time he saw her.
Art was a manager for Exxon Oil Company and specialized in international off shore drilling. Because of his work Art and Betty moved frequently living all over the world; Kansas, Arkansas, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Venezuela, South America, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Tokyo, Japan and Cairo, Egypt. They retired in Norman, Oklahoma to be near their children.
Art was a a caring and compassionate man who loved life and everything he did. He was considered the neighborhood handyman and if his garage door was open someone would always be there with a project. Art delivered meals for Meals on Wheels in Norman, Oklahoma not only delivering food but visiting with them and helping them whenever the opportunity arose. He volunteered at their church one day a week doing whatever needed to be done. He was always available to give a helping hand to anyone who needed him. He received his honorary Hoisington High School Diploma in 2016. He was so proud to be able to walk across the stage with his Senior Class. Art received his 70 year pin from the Hoisington Masonic Lodge #331 in 2019. The fact that he died on Betty’s birthday is all the more proof of their amazing connection and love. They are together again in the presence of Jesus. What a wonderful spiritual reunion.
He is survived by three children; Cynthia Jane (Gruber) Standridge of Lindsay, Oklahoma; William Kent Gruber and wife Annette of McMinnville, Oregon, and Chris Jay Gruber and wife Kim of Gridley, California; six grandsons, Scott & Shanna Standridge, Jay & Anna Standridge, Matthew Gruber, Jason & April Gruber, Lee & Ashley Standridge, and Kyle Gruber; 10 great grandchildren, Allie Standridge, Jake Standridge, Rex Standridge, Garet Standridge, Ryan Standridge, Tate Standridge, Rhet Standridge, Knox Standridge, Kade Standridge, and and Colton Gruber; and a brother-in-law, Jack Welch of Frankfort, Kansas; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife Betty, parents, W.G. and Nellie Gruber; seven siblings, William G. Gruber, Dr. Eugene E. Gruber, Pauline Gruber, Milton J. Gruber, Louise M. Reed, Lucille P. Hester, Thelma D. Brack; and a son-in-law Roy Standridge.
Visitation will be 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday at the funeral home.
Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 1, 2021, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Don Fisher presiding. Burial will follow at Hoisington Cemetery with military honors conducted by the United States Navy Honor Guard.
Memorials may be made to Art Gruber Scholarship Fund at Hoisington High School USD #431 in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home
PO Box 146
Hoisington, KS 67544
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Jan. 31, 2021
