Arthur "Art" Roy Kabanuk, 87, Minot, formerly of the Max area, died Thursday, November 17, 2011 in his home.

Art was born July 27, 1924 on the family farm near Max, North Dakota, the son of John and Anna Kabanuk. He attended grade school at the Lozensky and Kabanuk/Benson schools and later in the Harmony school district and Gasman Township hall. As a youth he participated in Junior Farmers Union local meetings and attended several Farmers Union camps. He and his sisters, Alice and Francis sang at some of their events and even sang at the State convention in 1941.

In 1939, the family moved to Minot, where he graduated from Minot High School in 1942. Art worked as an usher for the Orpheum, Strand and State theaters and sold the Minot Daily News on Main Street for five cents a copy. Art was united in marriage to Florence Mae Chelgren in 1943 and made their home on the family farm near Max. Art then entered into active duty service with the U.S. Army and honorably served his country in the Pacific Theatre of World War II, primarily in the Philippines. After the War, Art received numerous decorations and citations and returned to Ward County, where he received his teaching certificate. He then taught at Newman Township School near Sawyer, before returning to Minot State College to obtain his Bachelor of Science degree in 1950. Art served as hardware manager for Sears & Roebuck in Grand Forks for one year. He returned to the teaching profession in 1951, and was employed at North Dakota schools for the next 36 years. He served as principal at Colfax, Balfour and Butte, ND. He was also superintendant of schools at Abercrombie, Deering and Buchanan, where he also coached basketball. He had taught Accounting classes at Minot Business College for seven years.

Art was a longtime member of the Congregational United Church of Christ, Minot, where he also served on the Church Council. He was a member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Minot Eagles Aerie, Moose Lodge, Minot American Legion, VFW, North Dakota Retired Teachers and Minot Senior Citizens.

In 1982, Arthur began compiling materials for a family history. Upon his retirement in 1989, he devoted most of his time researching his family's genealogy. His 12 booklets were accepted by the Minot Public Library.

His loving family includes, son Elliott (Denise) Kabanuk, Fargo, daughters, LaVonne (Al) Abel, Fargo, Pamela (Curt) Everson, Minot; eight grandchildren, Lance Kabanuk, Jeffrey Trangsrud, Tammy Trangsrud, Krina Kabanuk-Larson, Kirsten Snyder, Gwendolyn Askew, Elisha Hoye & Ashley Simpson; Seventeen great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; sister, Jean Fassett, Bismarck, brother, Elvin (Louetta) Kabanuk, Minot, special friend and companion, Sylvia Christopher, Minot; along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Arthur was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Alice and Francis.

Funeral service: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. in the Congregational United Church of Christ, Minot.

Interment : Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.

Visitation: Monday from 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.