Arthur Joseph Prescott
Arthur Joseph Prescott passed from this life to an eternal rest with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 5, 2010. He had defeated non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma twice in the past 11 years. This time pancreatic cancer won the battle, but Art won the war and eternity.
Arthur was born October 1, 1938, in Newton, MA, to Ernest and Dorothy Prescott. The oldest of six children, he was always a leader. Art joined the Air Force in 1956 after his junior year in high school and was stationed in Opheim, MT, and Rapid City, SD. He graduated from high school twice: first, in Opheim where he attended school during the day while working nights on the base, and, second, from his home town high school in Newton.
After seeing MT, Art dreamed of coming back. He returned east and found his soul mate and fellow adventurer, Jane. Married on leap year day in 1964, Art and his young bride headed west in 1965. Their first son, John, was born in MA, while Timothy and Andrew were Montanans from birth. Art graduated from Rocky Mountain College in 1971 and worked on a Master’s in counseling at MSU during the 70’s. He taught in several rural MT towns, including Hingham, Reed Point, Peerless, Outlook, and Poplar.
Art loved teaching, but mainly he loved people. Over the years he worked for General Motors, did painting and wallpapering, was a guard at Deer Lodge prison and a police officer in Plentywood, worked in a bakery, taught school, and built a successful sales business. He often remarked that he had worked in more vocations than most people had had jobs in one profession. But with all these occupations and in all these places, Art was always a witness for Jesus. He loved his Lord and was never at a loss to tell others the old, old story of God’s love. He was a friend to all: always ready to help another man up or to give a word of encouragement or a pat on the back. Kids loved him. He would joke and play and love them for themselves without judgment or prejudice. He was so proud of his three sons and cheered them on as they went to college and became fine young men with families of their own. Oh, how he will be missed!
Arthur is survived by his wife of 46 years, Jane, and by his three sons, John (Anita) of Covington, KY, Timothy (Diann) of Florissant, MO, and Andrew (Rebecca) of Billings. He and Jane have four grandchildren - Lucas, Erik, Molly, and Ava. He is also survived by his mother, Dorothy Prescott, of Newton, MA, and his brothers, Ernest (Rena) of Colorado Springs, CO; Byron (Judy) of Natick, MA; Wayne (Karen) of Ossipee, NH; James (Betsy) of Newton, MA; and his sister Beverly Pelligrino of Waltham, MA, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father Ernest Prescott.
Art is a member of Faith Evangelical Church, is a Gideon, and has worked with Child Evangelism Fellowship for many years. He has helped with various Good News Clubs in Billings and is on the CEF board for south central MT.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Art’s name to The Gideons International, PO Box 20024, Billings, MT 59104.
The funeral will be held Saturday, July 10th at 11am at Faith Evangelical Church (32nd and Sweetwater). Interment with military honors will be in Mountview Cemetery.
A hero died on Monday. Not a well known politician with a large following or an international rock star with a big limo, but a hero all the same. Art was a man who loved and was loved; he was an encourager, a fighter for the rights of others, and a witness to the truth of God’s love and mercy. Amen and Amen!!
Remembrances
Please leave your name and remembrance in this public guest book. Your comments will be shared on this page and forwarded to the family.
Jane and all of your family, we send our love and sympathy to all of you on the death of Art. Peggy bowled at Sunset Bowl on Monday nites when Art was bowling for another team and it was always great visiting with him. He had a strong faith in the Lord and now is at peace and having a celebration in heaven and is free from all his pain and sickness. Please let you know you all will be in our prayers in the days ahead. God Bless, Love & Hugs, Warren & Peggy Peterson
We are
sorry for your loss. We knew Art and the Jane from the Good News Club.
He and the rest of the church was so willing to lean out w/ a helping
hand. All the children loved him and the time of fellowship he brought.
God Bless
Synobia Chan
I am a former student of his from Outlook. Sending thoughts and prayers to you...LuAnne Ordahl Super