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After living a long and blessed life, Arthur E. Symons Jr. passed away peacefully at home.
Art, as he was known, was born to Arthur and Louise Symons. He is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Glenna J. Symons. He is predeceased by his sister Margie Lee and brother Thomas C. Symons and survived by his youngest brother, James Symons. He is also predeceased by his infant son, David Symons, and his daughter, Meg Gregory, and survived by daughters Elizabeth Miller and Barbara Davis. He has seven grandchildren: James Davis, Sarah (Davis) Maciel, Peter Gregory, Bryson Davis, Andrew Gregory, Lydia (Davis) Giuseppe and John Gregory, and six great-grandchildren.
Art graduated from Lakeside High School in Seattle, went one year to Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, before graduating from Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington, in 1951. He valued a liberal arts education and supported education, including by serving on the board of trustees at Whitworth University.
Following in his father’s footsteps, after working for his father at Hershey Packing Company, a pioneer frozen food processor, he started his own frozen food business in 1957. Active in the industry for over 50 years, Art served on the American Frozen Food Industry (AFFI) board and was very involved with the Northwest Food Processors Association, being chairman in 1988.
Beyond education, Art had a desire that young people would come to know Jesus Christ. He was a lifetime member of the Presbyterian church and served several times as an elder. As a young person, he served as a youth leader and taught Sunday School. Later, he became active with Young Life, a ministry that introduces kids to his Lord. Art was a regular attender at the weekly prayer breakfast for Young Life up until his last few months. Bedbound, he remained faithful to prayer. His delight in his last days were the calls and visits he received. He’d been praying for each one and wanted to know how they were doing so that he could continue to pray. If you wish to remember Art with a gift, the family has designated Young Life of Lewis County. https://giving.younglife.org/ArtSymonsMemorial
A memorial service will be held Aug. 15, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Harrison Square Presbyterian Church in Centralia, Washington.
