Arthur Church Obituary

Church
ARTHUR B. CHURCH
July 12, 1927
March 19, 2021
Arthur Burdette Church, Jr., passed away March 19. He was born July 12, 1927 in Independence, Missouri and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, where his father started one of the country's first radio stations, KMBC. Arthur, Jr. was a WWII Navy veteran, and graduated from Amherst College. In 1952, he married Virginia Jacques, and they were blessed with three wonderful daughters, Jacqueline Church Simonds of Reno, Nevada, married to Robin Simonds; Anne Church Cordle of Peoria, Arizona, married to Robert Cordle; and Catherine Church Miles of Snoqualmie, Washington, married to Brian Miles. Later, the couple were further blessed to have four terrific grandchildren, Branden Cordle and his wife Dakota, Tyler Miles, Stephanie Miles, and Olivia Cordle.
Arthur had a twenty-year career in the television broadcast business in Kansas City with KMBC, then at WBBM in Chicago, CBS Television in New York, and KOOL TV in Phoenix, where he received many awards for sales excellence.
In 1971, Arthur changed careers and moved the family to Chipita Park, Colorado. Arthur and Virginia operated a popular flea market in Green Mountain Falls, Colorado, which led to opening their first antique store, The Peddler's Patch, in that town.
Arthur and Virginia were among the first to purchase a historic building on Colorado Avenue during the revitalization of Old Colorado City. Church's Antiques operated eight years before closing, but the delights of the business lured them back, and they opened Church's Antiquities on 26th Street, which they ran for four years. With the knowledge he acquired, Arthur became a respected Antiques and Fine Arts appraiser until he retired at age 85.
Arthur was a long-standing member of Running Water, belonged to the Over the Hill Gang, and was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. Many will remember Arthur and Virginia for their yearly parties, their love of dance, and Arthur's generosity.
Due to Covid, the family will hold a private Celebration of Life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pioneer Museum.