Arsie Neen Bigby's Obituary
Arsie Neen Bigby (Pop), a long-time Fremont resident, passed peacefully on May 02, 2020 at the age 98. He was born in Stillwell, Oklahoma on February 17, 1922, one of seven children of David Lee and Lettie (Thomas) Bigby. Arsie was the devoted brother of Felix (Marie), George, Taylor (Doris), Mac (Marvis), Euphemia (Harold), and Kenneth (JoAn). Arsie was happily married to Clelus Lorene (Gran) for 49 years before her passing in 1989. Arsie and Clelus raised four loving children; Billie Sue Geren of Fremont, Janice Teel (Jim) of Norman, Ok, Donald (dec) and Linda Schneider (Tom, dec) of Elk Grove.
Arsie’s personality was greatly shaped by his Oklahoma roots. He was a proud member of the Cherokee Nation, Tahlequah Country.
This upbringing instilled in him a devotion to family and love for oral tradition. He was a voice of wisdom and guidance and a historian to his large extended family. Arsie was a fiercely proud Okie and although he resided outside of Oklahoma for
75-plus years, his mannerisms, his ideas and the essence of his spirit rested in that Oklahoma childhood.
Pop’s love and devotion to family was first and foremost in his life and it extended beyond his wife, children and grandchildren. Although his most suitable role may have been that as “Pop” he was unquestionably a gift to all his kinfolk. This unwavering love of “kin’ was genuine and shared by his dear wife Clelus. Together, they played a large role in the lives of their extended family. Arsie was close with Clelus’ six sisters and their husbands. Leona (Bill) Ford, Gene (Truell) Brown, Vera (Bill) Eads, Betty (Ted) Soto, Hedy (Pete) Alcon, and Ruth (Jerry) Catanzano. They were loved and included in his family circle as were their children and grandchildren. Gran would have been proud of the way Pop continued to nurture relationships with his in-laws after her death.
Arsie was the friend, advocate and presence that all grandchildren and great-grandchildren should experience. He was a true supporter and did so without judgment. Pop was loved by grandchildren Gary, Tommy (Monica), and Kenny (Tammie) Geren, Kimberly, Todd, and Michael Schneider, Lori (Danny)Tooley and
Susan (Jamie) Koch. His adoring great-grandchildren Monique and Joseph Geren, Alanna and Alexis Geren, Jessie Geren, Jason and Brandon Terrazas, Ashley Schneider, Katie and Allison Koch, Evan Gaylor, Dalton and CoCo Tibbs mourn the loss. Great,
great-grandchildren Jenna Terrazas, Jaden Gaylor and Matthew Geren will forever miss Pop. Arsie was proud of his nephews and nieces and admired their talents. George (Barbara) Bigby, Steve (Treva) and Paul (Ami) Bigby, Bernie, Bill (Brenda), Jim and Babe Lipe, Ronnie (LaDon) and David (Paula) Bigby, Scott Bigby and Tracy Walker, Rosalie (Jim) Ingram and Alice Tribble, William and Kenneth Brown, Carol (Gardner) Judy (Don) Wright, Jerry Dale, Billy Gene and Lanny Eads, Steven and Michael Soto, and Jerry Glen (Lisa), Larry (Beverly) Catanzano and Lisa (Tim) Carnes. Arsie was predeceased by many members of his beloved family.
When Gran and Pop permanently settled in the tri-cities in the 1950’s, Pop continued to train and hunt bird-dogs in the fields of the greater bay area. Long before areas were built-up and subdivided, the open fields were home to his dog-training and he often took rides out to work with them. His skillfulness with hunting dogs was first introduced to him by an uncle and a neighbor when he was just a boy. Over the years, he would develop those skills into unusual, yet effective methods.
Often, when folks visited, he’d show off his techniques in his backyard. And, boy could his dogs hunt! And much to the chagrin of other pheasant hunters, his dogs would outperform theirs. The dogs would hunt displaying the same tenacity, stubbornness and acumen as their owner.
After a wide range of jobs, Arsie joined the Carpenters Union and with membership in good standing for over 50 years is recognized as a “lifetime member” of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters. Arsie became a respected union rep serving the Millmen’s Local 550 for nearly 25 years until his retirement in 1984. As a business agent he vociferously pushed back against unscrupulous business practices, forged alliances between labor and management and fought for the workrights of people of all backgrounds. He was a staunch supporter of labor unions.
He became a very proficient pool player and played a sharp game well into his 70’s. He found competition with his brothers and others over beers in pool halls. Never one to try an easy shot, the way he fashioned a pool cue made him resemble a
swash-buckler. He could put on quite a show when he was feeling it.
Like many of the Bigby clan, food was never far from being served or talked about. And often, like his siblings, the garden provided a delicious addition to the meal. His brother Taylor is a legendary gardener. Arsie liked his eggs prepared over-medium, but rarely would the cook get them “just right.” Meat, potatoes, greens and some bread to clean it up were a staple for Arsie throughout his adult life.
Arsie was a steady force in life. Whether it be as a family man, bird-dog trainer, union representative, fiddler, storyteller or as a political watcher and activist. Arsie was a diverse, skilled and confident man. He had a keen eye and took pleasure in watching and analyzing life. He always had a thirst for knowledge and local, state and national politics were particularly intriguing. He was a life-long democrat and contributed to many campaigns. Arsie was a fervent letter-writer and in his humble opinion - a political policy adviser. Whether it was reading, attending union conferences or listening to political debate, Arsie was deeply committed to being an active citizen. In fact, he was sure to share his opinion and advice when he thought it was necessary - which was frequently.
Arsie, his father, some brothers and other family played fiddle music in Oklahoma and Arsie continued his playing up until the end. Fittingly, just hours before his passing, he fiddled several tunes. One of the songs was a tune he had learned in childhood and he finished his set with Silent Night and proclaimed “that’s it.” Those performances are memorialized on a video. Arsie was a dues-paying member of the Santa Clara Valley Fiddlers Association for 35 years and was a regular attendee at
their monthly jams. When not fiddling, he’d listen to the other members and he’d “work up” their fiddles - improving the sound sometimes with just a brush of a piece of yarn. He relished the opportunity to be surrounded by fiddlers and their instruments. As with the preachers he’d come across, the fiddles just weren’t quite right and he’d happily try to improve the sound with a little tinkering. Arsie had friendships from the “Fiddlers Club”, but none were as cherished as the friendship he had with Johnny Chiou over the last ten years. Johnny made a point to visit, share and play fiddle with Arsie on a regular basis. He kindly would bring in fiddles for Arsie to tinker with and he introduced him to an amazing array of people. The family will be forever grateful to Johnny’s kindness and friendship.
Arsie was never one to spend lavishly. But he was extremely generous when it came to helping his family. For the last 50 years of his life, while living a modest life himself, he provided in numerous and invaluable ways. He was always one to honorably chip-in when a family was in trouble. He would help offset funeral costs, educational fees, or car repairs. He’d gift a book, a pair of boots, a new suit or dress, or simply help with tough times. Arsie graciously was able to contribute to all his grandkids’ down payments on buying their first home. And after a visit with Pop a child would usually leave with a little something to take with them. In addition, Arsie was able to help regularly with his aging parents and was an admirable gift-giver on special occasions. Pop inspired his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to play music and he generously outfitted them with instruments.
Arsie was a Christian and very versed in the Holy Bible. But he was not a regular church-goer as he always managed to find a preacher who “was not quite doing it right.” Arsie would say this often as he always thought there was room for improvement. You could always ask Arsie after a barber visit and you’d hear back “not quite right.” Arsie’s keen eye and full complement of self-confidence shaped his opinion-making and his full supply of opinions of which he would generously and respectfully share.
And they all came from the heart.
Pop would approve of this obituary. It is glowing, effusive, honest, accurate and about him. He was a special man and will be sorely missed by many.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
The world
did not stop spinning And not all the bagpipes did play
Yet
we’ll all feel this pain Far more
than just a day
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