Arsen Arthur Miranian, Jr.

We are gathered this morning to bear witness to our faith in the resurrection, the resurrection of all who are buried in Jesus Christ our Lord and the resurrection of Arsen Arthur Miranian, Jr.  Art died suddenly and unexpectedly on Sunday morning.  He was 54.

            Art was born in Rhode Island, one of two children of Arthur and Ann Miranian.  With his sister and parents, Art moved to Chester, Virginia, when he was in the fourth grade.  For high school Art went back up north to the Mount Hermon School in Northfield, Massachusetts.  While we knew a lot less about dyslexia and ADD in those days, his parents recognized that their very bright son needed something not available to Art in the public schools. Mt Hermon was a good fit for Art.  He did well there. He rowed on the crew team and while home in Chester during the summers achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.  After high school Art entered the University of Richmond and took a degree in business administration.

            During the summers Art worked for Tandy Leather Factory. He went to work for them full time in Detroit after graduation.  After a year, however, Art become restless, and he “retired” from Tandy and embarked on his version of the great American tour. For a year he traveled, making it to 49 of the 50 states.  A trip to Alaska would come later.

            Returning to Virginia, Art first went to work for Architectural Industrial Supply, then Elliot and Associates before going to work with Dietz Welding. Finally, about four years ago, his long held dream of owning his own company came to fruition when Art and Mark Wright bought Inge Equipment Company.

            After his great American tour, Art found his way back to Richmond and moved into the Fan.  In January 1982 his neighbor was planning a couples only dinner party.  The problem is, one of the neighbor’s housemates was going to be dateless.  After some negotiation, the date between Art Miranian and Anne Gabelya was arranged.  Although the two talked the night long, it was nearly ten months before another date ensued, this time to the Virginia State Fair.  Before long they were engaged and then married in April of 1984.  Anne and Art enjoyed 23 precious years of marriage together, and had two sons, Gilbert, adopted in 1987, and Daniel, who was born in 1990.

            Art was a man of varied interests, gifts, and commitments. Running through his life were three prominent themes.

            Art was a craftsman.  His skill with his hands ranged from chair caning to mechanics, from leatherworking to carpentry. Art could have been a founder of the DIY channel – do it yourself.  Whether it be adding on a room, air conditioning the house, or moving the septic tank line, or a large or small fixit job, or brewing his own beer and root beer, Art could do it and would do it and indeed did it.  (Well, the beer brewing may have been an area he did not quite master, as in the time all of his root beer bottles exploded, one by one.)  His craftsman eye and drive for the hands-on of life found expression in his professional endeavors, his recreation, and his family life. Whatever his hands found to do, he did with all of his might.

            Art was also an outdoorsman.  He loved camping, hunting, fishing, sailing, and simply enjoying God’s good creation with his wife, sons, and friends.  He prided himself in being able to start a fire without matches, and to teach others this most ancient but remarkable human skill.  He knew and practiced traditional frontier technology.  And he was a cyclist – with either one wheel on a unicycle or the more conventional two wheeled variety.

            And third Art was a leader of young men. Through scouting Art the craftsman and Art the outdoorsman found full expression. Art was an Eagle Scout and was most proud that each of his two sons are Eagle Scouts.  But he was leader and coach and guide for countless other young men of his sons’ troop.

            Art Miranian had a real zest for life.  He enjoyed playing games and doing practical jokes. One time he hid under then five year old Gilbert’s bed and waited and waited until the boy turned the lights out. Then he leapt from under the bed and jerked from the covers.  Art enjoyed the company of friends, and meeting new people.  But his craftsman side always came out, as when he met someone new, he was particularly interested in knowing what the person did with his hands.

            The son of Armenian parents, Art was raised in Chester Presbyterian Church.  He and Anne joined here at Bon Air Presbyterian on their professions of faith in 1991. Art ushered in worship, served on the property division, was a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, and bled for his faith - literally.  Art was a most faithful and regular blood donor who never missed his appointment on our blood drive Sundays.

            Art and Anne had a special and mutually nurturing relationship.  And he was devoted to his boys, to their needs and interests and development.  Our hearts go out to you today, Anne, Gilbert, and Daniel.

            Art Miranian is survived by his wife of 23 years, Anne Gabelya; sons Daniel and Gilbert; his parents, Ann and Arsen Miranian Sr.; his sister, Susan Miranian; other extended family; the men and boys of Scouting, and his friends and business associates.  Now, having gathered for our mutual support and to hear the comfort of the Scriptures, let us worship God:

R. Charles Grant

Bon Air Presbyterian Church – February 2, 2008