Obituary of John Cecil Arford, Jr.

John Cecil Arford Jr., 82, of Norton Kansas passed away April 9, 2021 at his home. He was born July 13, 1938, at the farmstead, in Almena, Kansas to Marjorie Jean (Frey) and John Cecil Arford Sr. John Grew up in Almena and was a 1956 graduate of Almena Rural High School. He attended Kansas State University where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity and graduated with a BS in Agricultural Economics in 1960. He served in the US Army then joined the Norton National Guard and spent a year in active duty at Fort Riley during the Berlin Wall crisis. John and Ada Marie Tharman were married on August 21, 1965 in Casper Wyoming. John and Ada farmed and raised cattle until his retirement in 2000. After retirement, he became an antique dealer, specializing in refinishing primitive furniture and boxes. John enjoyed attending Northern Valley sports events, dinner dance, fishing, skiing, “playing cards”, and growing potatoes and onions. He was a master storyteller and enjoyed entertaining guests with Ada at their home. For over 40 years they hosted pheasant hunters with whom they shared enduring friendships. He had a talent for making something out of nothing, whether it be transforming a pile of seemingly rotten boards into a beautiful piece of furniture or turning some discarded scrap metal into a mobile calf cage. John was also known for his well-worn work attire - earflaps and insulated coveralls. He considered his fraternity brothers to be truly his brothers and maintained lifelong friendships with them. He was a truly content person. John was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Ada of the home and sons, Scott (Gwen) Arford of Oakland, CA and Mark Arford of Denver, CO. Memorial services will be held 1:00 pm Saturday, April 17, 21 at the Lariat Building in Almena, Kansas. Inurnment at a later date at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Almena, KS. Memorial contributions may be made to the Northern Valley High School for the sports program. Condolences may be left at www.plumergobber.com Arrangements by Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home, Norton.