Arthur Anthony Opbroek was born in Remsen, Iowa September 9, 1941 to Arnold Gerhard Opbroek and Marian Virginia Raveling Opbroek. Early morning March 22, 2021, he transitioned peacefully to Heaven after a few month's battle with pancreatic cancer.

Arthur grew up on a farm in Fairfax, South Dakota. Directly after High School, he headed into town to the Army recruiting office which happened to be closed. This simple "closed" sign led to what he would call the second-best decision of his life: he entered the recruiter's office next door and began his rewarding career in the United States Air Force. As an ever-advancing non-commissioned officer, Arthur served in the Vietnam War, worked at the Pentagon, and enjoyed a long career as a USAF Administration Specialist, fully retiring after 21 years of active duty.

During his first duty assignment (Barksdale AFB), he made what he would always say was the best decision of his life: convincing Marjorie Kidwell to marry him. Marjorie would be his dancing partner and his saving grace for the next 58 years. After traveling with the Air Force for two decades of marriage and a growing family, they finally settled in Louisiana with their three boys, Stephen, Douglas, and Brian.

After Arthur's exemplary military career, he spent a brief season as a financial planner, but through the process of building his own house and helping a neighbor with a few odd jobs, he stumbled upon a skill which would lead to a stellar career in vinyl siding. Because of Arthur's strong work ethic and commitment to excellence, Opbroek Siding became the premier choice among homeowners and contractors in the Northwest Louisiana region.

An excellent dancer and a music aficionado, Arthur enjoyed playing music for dances and special events. He especially enjoyed disk-jockeying for local nursing homes and the annual Hearts-in-Motion Prom for special needs adults. His record and music collection could rival any in America.

Most of all, Arthur loved his family and friends. He was proud of his three sons and their families. He was a dedicated and soft-hearted grandpa to his six granddaughters, always cheering at their events and supporting them in their life endeavors. These girls softened his heart so much that one of his favorite roles had become playing Santa Claus. Much of the Ark-La-Tex knew him—but didn't know they knew him—as the Songs of the Season Santa.

He is already missed by so many because he lived well.

Arthur was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife Marjorie Kidwell Opbroek; his children Stephen & Tammy, Douglas & Nina, and Brian & KaLyndia; his grandchildren Presley & Joseph Sanders, KaLeigh Opbroek, Bethany & Chaz Coleman, McKenna & Avery Marsh, Callie-Ruth Opbroek, and Sarah Opbroek; his siblings Jerome & Amy Opbroek, Edward & Claudia Opbroek, Wayne & Cheryl Opbroek, Rosemary Opbroek & Mike Edwards, Ruth Opbroek Krueger & Gerry Erstad; and lifelong best friend Jimmy K'Vool and his wife Lois.

Serving as Honorary Pall Bearers are Grandsons-in-law Ronald Chaz Coleman, Joseph Sanders, and Avery Marsh, Justin Jones (like a son), Brother-in-law Ronald Kidwell, Nephew Kevin Kidwell, and Special Neighbors and Friends Raul Garcia, Jr. and Raul Garcia III.

A pavilion service with full-military honors will be held in Arthur's honor Friday March 26, 2021 from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, 7970 Mike Clark Road, Keithville, Louisiana. Masks are required on cemetery grounds. Committal prayer will be offered by the Reverend Colonel Bruce Ewing, retired USAF, of Shreveport Community Church.

The Opbroeks would like to express special thanks to the teams of caregivers from STAT Home Health and St. Joseph Hospice.