SECHREST, Arthur (Art) Patrick

The Payson Roundup, Payson, Arizona, Tuesday, May 23, 2014 Arthur Patrick Sechrest, athlete with a cane, Stetson aficionado, sharp shooter, and rock hound, died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, April 9, 2014. He was 74. Art’s personality was as large as the gorgeous oversized western buckles he wore when he dressed to impress. A lover of good silver, gemstones, and all things geological, he installed a lapidary workshop in his garage and painstakingly polished Arizona rocks into brilliant works of beauty. Trained in the Marine Corps, Art kept his eye and hand coordination sharp at the Tonto Rim Sports Club. Despite a debilitating back injury, he spent hours at the club, making friends and working on his technique. In front of a target, he’d whisper, “now watch this” before taking a shot. Afterwards, in typical poker parlance, he’d grin and say, “read ’em and weep.” Art had many careers in his life — policeman, boilermaker, welder — but his free time was spent in the great outdoors. Running, cycling and hiking all became passions. When he took up a sport, he threw himself into it with a gusto that seemed like lunacy to his admiring family. But the marathons and triple centuries ended when he suffered the injury that changed his life. He never gave up the small pleasures, though. He loved sipping a fine whiskey on a beautiful evening while listening to mournful blues or country music. He was your go-to man for a juicy, barbecued turkey. His favorite movie was “Man on Fire.” Every morning he hiked the Rim country trails with his beloved dogs, Bonnie and Clyde, then later Blue and Radar. He read voraciously, acquiring a serious dedication to his Kindle. He played a mean game of cribbage and had a legendary skill at poker. He is survived by his wife, Kathie; his three daughters, Laura, Colleen and Jennifer; his two sisters, Margot and Mindy; six grandchildren; many nephews and nieces; as well as dear friends, all of whom will miss him deeply.