Arthur John Arciniega of Running Springs passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 3, 2024, while surrounded by family, after a hard-fought battle with leukemia. He was 76 years old.
Art was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He had a passion for outdoor recreation, was an excellent cook, and many would consider him a movie afficionado. Above all, he was driven by the love for family.
Art was born to Arthur and Esther (Pacheco) on October 11, 1947, in Riverside. He graduated from Ramona High School in 1965 and started working for the U.S. Postal Service as a mail carrier soon thereafter. He was drafted into the Vietnam War in 1967 where he served as radio operator for General Creighton Abrams.
After military service, Art returned to Riverside where he continued to work for the Postal Service. Art married Cathy Stringfellow of Riverside in 1976, legally adopting his first son, Scott, when they moved to Running Springs. Art and Cathy wanted to raise a family in the mountains where they ultimately had three more boys – Samuel, James and Joshua. They divorced after 10 years of marriage.
Art eventually married Joan (Jeffries), combining into a large family with six children. Art often fondly recounted meeting Joan at the Cedar Glen post office, having gained the confidence to ask her out when he noted her mail indicated she was newly single. Art retired from the Postal Service in 2007 after a 40-year career, 25 of which were served in Cedar Glen as postmaster.
Although proudly from Riverside – Casa Blanca and, later, Victoria neighborhoods – Art was no “flatlander.” He raised a family and was an active member of the communities of the San Bernardino Mountains for 48 years. Notably, he volunteered for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department as a member of their search and rescue team for 15 years.
Art is survived by his wife of nearly 37 years, Joan, children Scott (Kelly), Jake, Sam, Jim (Lora), Krista (Greg) and Josh (Susan); seven grandchildren; his mother, Esther; three sisters Lorraine, Diane and Gloria; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Arthur Sr., brother Bobby and sister Vickie.
Memorial services will be held at the Grove Community Church (19900 Grove Community Drive, Riverside, CA 92508) at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, 2024, with a reception to follow.
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