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Arthur was born August 6, 1913 to Thomas William Flannagan and Clara May Smith, the 6th of 7 children. Arthur attended Murray Jr. High and St. Paul High School. In high school Art used a sculpture to win a scholarship to the Chicago Art Institute. He "couldn't see being a starving artist" so he took classes in accounting and finance at the University of Minnesota.
In his youth, being a cocky and aggressive young man, he fancied himself a boxer. He admitted however to losing interest in boxing after running into the "wrong guy" one evening. He said it was a very brief encounter and did not end in his favor.
Arthur sold insurance for New York Life for one year and served in the U.S. Navy for 3 years. In 1933 he landed a job with IDS as a messenger. After several promotions, he was eventually Vice President of Customer Relations until he retired in l978 after 45 years.
Arthur married Helen Louise Schwab May 27, 1939. In 1950 they adopted Mary Helen and saw to the completion of the construction of their magnificent home in Golden Valley where they have lived ever since.
Arthur was active in the political and community scene, serving 9 years on the Golden Valley City Council, being head of the Suburban Gas Agency and on the Board of Zoning Appeal. When asked about his interests in general, he said, "Helen is my main interest." In addition to Helen, Art has invested his time and energy into landscaping and gardening on his property in Golden Valley. His artfully sculpted acreage borders a woods and wetlands. Wildlife is commonly observed there: woodchucks munch acorns on the driveway, deer stroll through the grass and a duck nests in a perennial bed by the side door. Arthur's hobbies include fishing and hunting, and skeet and clay pigeon shooting.
Arthur passed away Sunday, June 11, 2000 in his home with Helen and Mary at his side.
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