Arthur J Guilbault Jr

Arthur J. Guilbault, Jr. March 27, 1933 February 3, 2008 Retired Major USAF Arthur J. Guilbault, Jr., passed away on Sunday, February 3, 2008, surrounded by his family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, February 7, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Waco, with Rev. Albert Laforet as celebrant. Burial will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas. He will be in state Tuesday, February 5, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Art was born on March 27, 1933, to Arthur and Anna Guilbault in Sayreville, New Jersey. At a young age, his family relocated to Beacon, New York, where he lived until he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1950. During his service he was a master navigator. While stationed at James Connally Air Force Base in Waco, he met the love of his life, Sonia Birkel. They married on April 24, 1956. After living on numerous bases around the world, Art retired from the Air Force in 1972 and returned to Waco with his wife and five children. Art then studied horticulture at Texas State Technical Institute. After receiving his degree, he became the Superintendent of Grounds at Baylor University for the next 18 years, until his retirement in 1993. Art ended his career at the Cameron Park Zoo, working as their horticulturalist from 1994 to 2006. Art's passions included cooking, gardening and photography. He was a loving husband, father and friend whose sense of humor touched those around him. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Joan Lynch. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, and his five children: Karen A. Guilbault of Weatherford; Gregg T. Guilbault, Arthur J. Guilbault, III, Susan M. Guilbault and Michele M. Kettler, all of Waco; four grandsons: Jacob and Noah Guilbault, and Mason and Michael Kettler; brother: William Guilbault of Highland View, New York; many nieces and nephews; and his faithful and loving pug and companion, Annie. Donations in memory of Art can be made to the Cameron Park Zoological Society. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.