Arthur Ray Gaddis, Sr. was born in Sumrall, Mississippi on February 28, 1942 to Boss and Onetia Rollin Gaddis. The family moved to Picayune, Mississippi when Arthur was young. He attended Carver Elementary and High School in Picayune where he played football. He too great pride in the fact that his high school was undefeated and unscored on for a period of five years. He attended church as St. Matthews Missionary Baptist Church. There he confessed Christ and was baptized at an early age. He moved to Flint Michigan in 1961 where he worked fro General Motors. He soon met and married Beverly Rogers. To their union, five children were born.

After his marriage dissolved, he returned to Picayune where in 1967 he met Emily Young. He later moved to Oakland, California. Arthur and Emily continued their relationship until there were united in Holy Matrimony in 1969. To their union, one child was born.

Arthur worked several jobs before becoming an employee in Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) as a custodian. Soon after being hired, he became the voice of custodians in OUSD and was elected Union Representative to AFSCME, the Union for state employees. His responsibilities with the Union ended when he was promoted to Field Supervisor in the OUSD Custodial Department. It was not long before he was promoted again to Director of the Building Operations for the District, to manage upkeep of more than 100 schools. After 25 years of employment with OUSD, he retired in 2000 and moved from Bay Point, California to Gulfport, Mississippi to enjoy retirement. In Gulfport. he united with Hillside Baptist Church. His membership was later transferred to Trinity House of Praise in Biloxi, Mississippi. He was active in church until he became ill.

Arthur was most affectionately called "Joe Henry" and he had a nickname for most people that were close to him. Hs favorite pastimes were golfing and gaming. He had a jovial personality with a witty response to everything. He was ofter the life of the party. He kept everyone laughing. He had a way of making folk feel good about entering rooms that he was in.

Arthur departed this life on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at 8:30pm with his wife by his side. He will sorely be missed. May God rest his soul.

Arthur was preceded in death by his parents, Boss and Onetia Gaddis; his two sisters, Izolla Ott and Lillian "Pete" Guice; and two granddaughters, Tianya Gaddis and Adrienne Gaddis.

He leaves eight daughters to mourn his passing, Tanya Gaddis- Dallas, Texas, Angelina Gaddis- Pittsburg, California, Patricia Gaddis, Tina (Perry) Dunlap, Tonya Milum- Flint, Michagan, Sonya (Tracy) Williams - Burton, Michagan, Yvonne (David) Lemieux- Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Rhonda Gaddis- Gulfport, Mississippi; three sons, Arthur Wayne Gaddis- Chicago, Illinois, Arthur Ray (Gwen) Gaddis, Jr.- Oakland, California, and Gregory Duane (Mary) Gaddis- Gulfport, Mississippi; two sisters, Pamela (Kevin) Rousey- Durham, North Carolina, and Andrenette Gaddis- Flint, Michigan; one brother, Robert (Sharon) Rollins- Waxahachie, Texas; 26 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren,
two best friends, Henry Robinson- Gulfport, Mississippi and Joseph Baptiste- Oakland, California, along with numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, and nephews.