- Date Of Birth: January 27, 1928
- Date Of Death: June 27, 2010
- State: Idaho
R.C. (Art) Bonds 82, of Cambridge, Idaho passed away in his home on June 27, 2010 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Art was born January 27, 1928 in Parker, Arizona to Chester C. and Bessie Mae Bonds. During the Great Depression, Art’s family migrated from Oklahoma to Central California. Art joined the Army in the later stages of World War II; he served as an Army cook while stationed in Germany. Art returned to Fresno and Visalia, California after his enlistment expired and started working for Purity and Safeway grocery stores. He would later own two grocery stores of his own in Central California.
Art eventually made his way to Idaho and started a cattle ranch in Council. He would later move to Fruitland and owned and operated Bond’s Meat Packing in Fruitland. In the late 1980’s, Art married the love of his life, Donna Wells. Together they closed up the Meat Packing store, sold their house and moved to Ketchikan, Alaska. Art and Donna lived a life of adventure for the next 10 or so years in Alaska. Art worked as a tour guide and as a mechanic for Alaska Sightseeing Company, but his true love was catching Salmon. In the early 90’s Art and Donna finally made their way to Cambridge, Idaho where they bought a home close to family and friends. While in Cambridge, Art pursued his passions of fishing, gardening and cooking up until his death.
Preceding Art in death are his parents, Chester and Bessie, 2 brothers, Luke and Bud and his sister, Norma Jean. Art is also preceded in death by his grandson Richard Jason Bonds. Art is survived by his wife Donna Bonds, 9 children and their families which include 20 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren: Dona Steiner (Lou), Richie Bonds (Lynna), Jason Bonds (Gewen), Rolland Bonds (Faith), Shannon Shelden, Warren Art Bonds, Jim Wells (Bonne), Joe Wells (Roz), and Georgia White (Steve).
