TAMMS, Ill. -- Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas E. Arthur, 81, departed this life Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2011, at Lutheran Medical Center in Denver.

He was born Sept. 22, 1929, in Williamsburg, Ky., son of Thomas McVey Arthur and Jessie Ellison Jenkins.

Arthur attended Williamsburg schools and Cumberland College.

He joined the Army and was sent to Korea where he was critically wounded. He was a paratrooper and served in the Colorado National Guard, earning the green beret and was a member of special forces.

Arthur was a licensed electrician, worked for Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center and Gash Electric.

Survivors include his wife, Gwendolyn Arthur; a daughter, Kimberly (James) Bankson; a grandson, Michael (Tara) Story; three great-grandchildren, Raelyn Melton, Jena Story, Billy Story; a nephew, Scott (Donna) Quesenberry; and mother-in-law, Fleecy Yates.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandmother, Cora McVey Arthur; and father-in-law, Lawrence "Babe" Yates.

A memorial service was held Aug. 10 in Denver with full military honors.

A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at Alexander Freewill Baptist Church near Thebes, Ill.

Announcement courtesy of Jones Funeral Home in Tamms, Ill.