Art was born on September 3, 1952 in Torrance, California. After a courageous, hope-filled two-year long battle against colon cancer, Art passed away on his 54th Birthday, September 3, 2006, at his home surrounded by his loving family, in Richland, Washington.

Art grew up in California. He attended Kindergarten in Southern California; Middle School in West Point and Rancho Cordova; High School and College in San Jose, California, majoring in Drafting and Design.

As a young boy Art learned to fish, hunt and play baseball from his Dad. Art was an All Star baseball player throughout Little League and played Basketball in Junior High.

Art's athletic nature led him to master Karate and he earned a multiple degree-black belt. He later taught karate in San Jose and in Shiraz, Iran. Throughout his lifetime, Art kept his body in top physical condition. He sky dived, scuba dived, water skied and snow skied, took flying lessons and even piloted a plane.

As a young adult Art was an accomplished snow skier and was a member of the ski patrol in Lake Tahoe, California with his life-long friend Wayne Salomon.

Richland, Washington has been Art's home since 1976. While in Richland Art became a Master Carpenter. Art's quality craftsmanship and attention to detail can be seen in countless homes in the Tri Cities.

Art's love of the mountains drew him to Spout Springs, Oregon where he remodeled many homes and built many snowmobile sheds.

He is extremely proud of the Hydroplane he and Tony Switzer built for the ''Playground of Dream'', in Kennewick, W A, and then rebuilt after fire destroyed it in 2004.

Art loved NASCAR! His dream came true last November, 2005 when he traveled to Phoenix, Arizona to meet Jeff Gordon and attend a weekend filled with NASCAR races.

Art's hillside garden is a sight to behold and brought him and everyone who came by to see it so much joy during his battle with cancer.

One of Art's proudest accomplishments was overcoming alcoholism through the fellowship of AA in 2002, which led him to become a mentor and volunteer at the Benton County Sheriff s Department and the Twin Rivers Group Home. His sobriety enhanced his relationship with the Lord and enriched his spiritual life.

Art's family would like to thank all of his doctors and nurses for the tender care he received.

He will be remembered for his beautiful smile, sparkling flirtatious eyes, his big heart and loving spirit. He will always be deeply missed.

Art is survived by his beloved son, Jason Leon Christy of Richland, who was his pride and joy, and the light of his life; his step-daughter, Katrina Brown, of Kennewick; his three sisters, Lorgene Christy, of Richland, Charlene Cole and her husband Bob, of San Jose, California; Patti Bruggeman and her husband Del of Richland and; his Uncle Harold Christy of Spokane; his three Nieces, Lana Oslin and her husband Mark, of Richland, Kimberly Cox, of Pasco, and Kristin Loper and her husband Shane, of Dayton; his five Nephews, his namesake Arthur Cole and his wife Angelique, of Cobb, California; Michael Cole, of San Jose. California; Rick Bruggeman and his wife Jo' ell, of Jefferson, Oregon; Steve Bruggeman and his wife, Kelly, of Kennewick, and Brian Bruggeman, of Kennewick; numerous Great Nieces and Great Nephews, his cousins Henry DeJager of Napa, California and Diane Rogers, of Soldotna, Alaska. Art was preceded in death by his loving parents Leon and Laura Christy.

Services will be held on Saturday, September 9th at Einan's Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m. A celebration of Art's life will be held at the Leslie Groves Park following the memorial.

Visitation will be Friday, September 8, 2006 from 5:00-8:00 PM at Einan's Funeral Home, Richland.

Donations in Art's name can be made to the charity of your choice or to Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice, 2108 W. Entiat, Kennewick, WA 99336; or to the Tri-Cities Cancer Center, 7350 W. Deschutes Ave., Kennewick, WA 99336.