Arthur Thomas Chambers

Arthur Thomas Chambers, Jr., 86, of Mackinac Island and St. Ignace, passed away on Friday, November 20, 2015, at Mackinac Straits Health System in St. Ignace. He was known as "Bud" to all his many friends. He was born on December 27, 1928, in the Chambers' home on Cadotte Avenue on Mackinac Island to Sara (nee Franks) and Arthur Thomas Chambers, Sr. Bud spent his childhood years growing up on Mackinac. The family split time between Mackinac Island and Daytona Beach, where he graduated from Mainland High School. After a multi-state adventure with friends, Sonny Metevier, Marvin May, and Eugene "Red" Arbib, the call of duty came to enlist in the Army in January 1951, at Fort Knox, Kentucky, Camp Drum 11th Airborne. After an honorable discharge in 1953, he headed back to Mackinac Island and Bois Blanc, a place dear to his heart. He worked building carriages in "the shop" of the family business, Mackinac Island Carriage Tours. He was also employed by the Mackinac Bridge during the construction. He fell in love with Ada Lapine. They were married at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church in St. Ignace on July 14, 1956. Ada is the love of his life. They moved to Flint, Michigan, where he worked at Fisher Body. Their first daughter was born there. Always drawn back to Mackinac, they returned home, where Bud continued his craft at Mackinac Island Carriage Tours, well into his 70s. His designs were thought out on paper and pencil at home, many a late night, creating carriages to keep up with productivity and demand of changing times. Bud was a master of all his endeavors. He loved to fish, so he made his own lures. He enjoyed bow hunting, and he created a tracker for his arrows and also built his own tree stands. He was always a craftsman. Bud had lots of friends, some of whom didn't mind getting cornered to listen to his latest invention, idea, thought, or adventure, past and present. Bud is survived by two brothers, Dr. William K. and Sue Chambers and James P. Chambers; his wife, Ada, of 59 years, and six daughters and their families: Karen and Ed Anderson, Gail Chambers, Kathy and Gary McBride, Penny Chambers and David Sterk, Sara Chambers, and Linda and John Bentgen, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Arthur Thomas III, and a sister, Sally Chambers McConnell. Upon the family's request, cremation has taken place. Dodson Funeral Home of St. Ignace is assisting the family with arrangements. There will be a memorial service for Bud on Friday, November 27, at 4 p.m. at Dodson Funeral Home with Father Frank Ricca officiating. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The following is a verse from one of Bud's favorite poems: "There's a place that I travel when I want to roam, and nobody knows it but me..." Patrick O'Leary".

Tributes

Arthur Thomas Chambers

November 20, 2015