Arthur Paul Boursse, 90
Arthur Paul Boursse passed away at his home surrounded by family and friends in Coeur d’Alene on April 22, 2010. He was born in Seattle, Wash., Feb. 1, 1920, to Stanley Felix Boursse and Anna Kusinska.
He grew up on a farm in Redmond, Wash., graduating from Redmond High School. His early life on the farm gave him the experience and appreciation of nature’s gifts and skills in survival and respecting the environment.
As with many proud Americans, he joined the Army in December 1941 and served with the Army-Air Force as a Master Sergeant and Crew Chief for the 414th Night Fighter Squadron, earning various medals, including the Bronze Star while serving in the European and North African theater. He received an honorable discharge in September 1945. Shortly thereafter, he started his lifelong career in the Trucking Business, driving for national trucking firms for 53 years and being a proud member of the Teamsters.
On New Year’s Day in 1947, he married Yvonne Gloria Gjerset from Washington. Their first home was in Seattle where they had four sons. In 1956 they moved to Los Angeles, Calif., where they settled to raise their family. Art’s skills in engine and airplane mechanics led to his continued interest and family involvement in the popular California sports and hobbies building racing cars and giant scale model airplanes. He was considered a master builder and avid hobbyist in engines and giant scale airplane models. From his early years to long after retirement, Art used his engine expertise by maintaining the family’s 1929 Ford Model A previously owned by his son, Alan.
Art had a lifelong interest in the arts, music and culture. He was especially fond of the simplicity expressed in the western American landscape, artists and musicians. His early expressions of nature’s grandeur in his oil paintings was represented by beautiful landscapes and natural scenes. He appreciated the simple and lamenting sounds of the American western singers and their guitars.
In 1995, Art and Yvonne moved to Coeur d’Alene to retire and renew their early connection to the northwest. After moving to Coeur d’Alene he painted local picturesque scenes and memories of his flying experiences as a young man serving his country. Art and Yvonne became active in their local senior center and enjoyed taking rides in their newly restored 1929 Ford Model A.
Art was preceded in death by his son, Alan Boursse. In addition to his wife Yvonne, Art is survived by three sons, Andre Boursse and wife Annis of San Francisco, Calif., Artie Boursse of Bonney Lake, Wash., and Pierre Boursse of Charlotte, N.C. Art is also survived by his grandchildren, Heather Boursse of Sherman Oaks, Calif., and Ryan Boursse of Seattle; and several nieces and nephews.
At 10 a.m. Saturday, May 1, 2010, the interment will be at Riverview Cemetery, 1101 Lincoln Way, Coeur d’Alene, followed by an 11 a.m. service at English Funeral Home Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Art’s memory to the Lake City Senior Center, 1916 Lakewood Drive, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.
Please sign Art’s guest registry and view his online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.