Andrew Oxborrow McArthur (1913-2005)
&
Merle Wallace McArthur (1917-2004)
Merle and Andrew McArthur
Andrew and Merle met during church (Andy was in the Bishopric and Merle was a Sunday School teacher). They were married in the St. George, UT Temple on Merle's birthday--September 29, 1938. They had four children (the first one dying at birth) and lived in St. George, UT all their lives.
Andrew
Andrew O. McArthur
Andrew Oxborrow McArthur was born December 23, 1913 to James and Elizabeth O. McArthur. When Andy was born his father James sent a postcard to his mother-in-law which read:
“Dear mother, if you hadn’t already heard, this will notify you that Lizzy gave birth to a fine baby boy. She was up making doll clothes and fixing things for Santa Clause for Christmas until 12 oclock and the boy arrived at 2 a.m. See how fast Lizzy is getting.” Signed James McArthur.
As a child, Andy loved just about anything from animals to basketball. He said he even made a basketball out of a pig’s bladder. He loved playing basketball, during one game he recalls shooting the ball up through the rafters and it came down and swished through the hoop. As a child he was taught to work hard and be responsible. When he was 11 or 12, he and his nine year old friend Ken Lund, took a team of horses to Cedar to get a load of coal. They stayed the night just above the Black Ridge—this experience gave him a great feeling of confidence.
After returning home from his mission to the Northern States Mission he married Merle Wallace and they had three children: Marilyn, James, and Daniel. He worked long and hard in the bakery business and invested in land. When St. George got a fire truck he volunteered at the fire department, spending over 65 years with the department.
Andy loves hunting. He even arranged his wedding day so that he would be back from his honeymoon by the opening day of the hunt.
Andy is someone who has never sought a calling in the church, but answered yes to every call that came. His service began when he left to serve a full-time mission in the Northern States Mission, and continued throughout his life. Within months after his marriage to Merle, at the age of 24, he was called to serve as a Bishop of the South Ward at 166 South Main St. (The South Ward extended south to Mt. Trumbal, north to Pine Valley, and west to Gunlock). Elder Heber J. Grant set him apart and gave him some counsel, “Avoid debt like a plague and try to do something that will make you money while you sleep.” Andy never forgot that counsel and always followed it. After his release as Bishop he was called as a High Councilor and later called as a Stake President, Regional Representative and a counselor in the Temple Presidency. While he was serving in the Temple Presidency, President Whipple, the Temple President, had a sever heart attack. Andy took on his responsibilities and during his time away the temple underwent a complete renovation. An extension was added to the back of the temple to allow for an elevator. Andrew was very diligent and saw to every detail during the construction. While serving as the Stake President, he often entertained General Authorities. On one occasion he had a unique experience with then Elder Gordon B. Hinckley:
Elder Hinckley had come to preside at two Stake Conferences on the same day. There had been a new building built in Ivins and they figured that between the two sessions Elder Hinckley could run over and dedicate it. The only problem was how would they eat lunch. Andy came up with a plan.
He had a cab-over-camper and had Merle fix them up a lunch. His son Jim drove the truck and the two stake presidents and Elder Hinckley were served lunch in the back of the truck by Merle as they traveled to Santa Clara.
While they were driving Elder Hinckley said, “I’ve been fed on trains and airplanes but this is the first time I’ve eaten in a cab-over-camper.”
Andy has 19 grandchildren and 31 great-grand children with one more great-grandchild coming soon. He is a great strength to the city of St. George, a great example to many, and loved by all.
“Dear mother, if you hadn’t already heard, this will notify you that Lizzy gave birth to a fine baby boy. She was up making doll clothes and fixing things for Santa Clause for Christmas until 12 oclock and the boy arrived at 2 a.m. See how fast Lizzy is getting.” Signed James McArthur.
As a child, Andy loved just about anything from animals to basketball. He said he even made a basketball out of a pig’s bladder. He loved playing basketball, during one game he recalls shooting the ball up through the rafters and it came down and swished through the hoop. As a child he was taught to work hard and be responsible. When he was 11 or 12, he and his nine year old friend Ken Lund, took a team of horses to Cedar to get a load of coal. They stayed the night just above the Black Ridge—this experience gave him a great feeling of confidence.
After returning home from his mission to the Northern States Mission he married Merle Wallace and they had three children: Marilyn, James, and Daniel. He worked long and hard in the bakery business and invested in land. When St. George got a fire truck he volunteered at the fire department, spending over 65 years with the department.
Andy loves hunting. He even arranged his wedding day so that he would be back from his honeymoon by the opening day of the hunt.
Andy is someone who has never sought a calling in the church, but answered yes to every call that came. His service began when he left to serve a full-time mission in the Northern States Mission, and continued throughout his life. Within months after his marriage to Merle, at the age of 24, he was called to serve as a Bishop of the South Ward at 166 South Main St. (The South Ward extended south to Mt. Trumbal, north to Pine Valley, and west to Gunlock). Elder Heber J. Grant set him apart and gave him some counsel, “Avoid debt like a plague and try to do something that will make you money while you sleep.” Andy never forgot that counsel and always followed it. After his release as Bishop he was called as a High Councilor and later called as a Stake President, Regional Representative and a counselor in the Temple Presidency. While he was serving in the Temple Presidency, President Whipple, the Temple President, had a sever heart attack. Andy took on his responsibilities and during his time away the temple underwent a complete renovation. An extension was added to the back of the temple to allow for an elevator. Andrew was very diligent and saw to every detail during the construction. While serving as the Stake President, he often entertained General Authorities. On one occasion he had a unique experience with then Elder Gordon B. Hinckley:
Elder Hinckley had come to preside at two Stake Conferences on the same day. There had been a new building built in Ivins and they figured that between the two sessions Elder Hinckley could run over and dedicate it. The only problem was how would they eat lunch. Andy came up with a plan.
He had a cab-over-camper and had Merle fix them up a lunch. His son Jim drove the truck and the two stake presidents and Elder Hinckley were served lunch in the back of the truck by Merle as they traveled to Santa Clara.
While they were driving Elder Hinckley said, “I’ve been fed on trains and airplanes but this is the first time I’ve eaten in a cab-over-camper.”
Andy has 19 grandchildren and 31 great-grand children with one more great-grandchild coming soon. He is a great strength to the city of St. George, a great example to many, and loved by all.
For a Copy of his Patriarchal Blessing click the 'contact' page and enter your information (be sure to let me know how you are related to her). I'll send you a copy.
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Merle Wallace
Merle Wallace McArthur
Include a short bio & a key story or two
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For a Copy of her Patriarchal Blessing click the 'contact' page and enter your information (be sure to let me know how you are related to her). I'll send you a copy.
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Pictures of Andrew Oxborrow & Merle Wallace McArthur
What memories do you have of Andy and/or Merle?
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