James Andrew Arthur, 74, of Portsmouth passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at SOMC in Portsmouth. Jim was born on August 22, 1951 to the late Omer and Rita (Emnett) Arthur of Portsmouth. After their death Jim lived with his mother’s brother, Sylvan Emnett.

Jim was a 1969 graduate of Notre Dame High School. He was a deacon at the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Portsmouth where he loved to help with prayer requests, setting the tables for luncheons and getting all the kids roused up! Jim worked for the state of Ohio Department of Transportation for 38 years as a Rodman for the Survey crew. The crew nicknamed him “Machete Wild Man”. He fell short of his goal of forty years due to a stroke that pushed him into retiring before he wanted too but he made a promise that he would always give you a hug and tell you he loved you because we are never promised tomorrow! Jim dearly loved his family and friends.

Jim is survived by his wife Donna (Bloomfield) Arthur; Children, Teresa Arthur of Portsmouth, Jamie Arthur of Portsmouth, Amy (Scott) Jones of Colegrove, Regina Kelley of Portsmouth, Rachel Rice of Kentucky, and Rhonda (Gary) Cooper of Portsmouth; a brother, Tom (Cindy) Arthur of Pickerington; two sisters, Ruth Brown of Gorveille, IL and Jeanne (Michael) Southworth of Portsmouth; grandchildren Brooke, Andrew, Valerie, Jasmine, Isaac, Stephen, Sean, Torri, Stacey, Tiffany, Brooke, Tyler, and Zach; great grandchildren, Jaelyn, Logan, Levigh, Kaniya, Abby, Analynn, Enyee, Daleyza, Kedon, Marco, Shleah, Zachariah, Zander and Elonah. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his uncle who raised him, Sylva Emnett; and a brother, John Arthur.

Funeral services will be held, 6:00 pm, Monday, August 10, 2026 at SWICK BENTLEY FUNERAL HOME in New Boston with Pastor Craig Gilliland officiating.Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.