Arthur T. Bonin's Obituary
Arthur Thomas Bonin, Jr., 76, passed away peacefully on April 25, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Arthur was born May 26, 1949, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Throughout his life, he lived in several places that became meaningful chapters of his story, including Omaha, Nebraska, and Overland Park, Kansas, before eventually retiring in Oakland, California. Arthur, who was known by many as “Tom,” was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. On October 9, 1971, he married the love of his life, Marcile Brummett Bonin, and together they built a life and family over 54 years of marriage centered on love, resilience, laughter, and dedication. He was a loving and supportive partner to Marcile throughout their marriage and found his greatest happiness in time spent with his wife and family. As a father and grandfather, he was patient, caring, protective, and deeply proud of his family, always there with encouragement, humor, and unwavering support. He enjoyed taking family trips and creating memories and traditions with his family. He was the expert at navigating the family around the Disney Parks, always planning the routes, knowing the best spots to visit, and making the experience fun for everyone around him. Some of his favorite rides included Mad Tea Party, Pirates of the Caribbean, Indiana Jones Adventure, and Radiator Springs Racers. Those trips became some of the family’s most treasured memories. His career in the automotive industry was a source of great pride and fulfillment. It began while taking high school classes in automotive mechanics at Boys Town High School. After high school, he attended Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas, completing a Bachelor of Science in Education with a focus on automotive technology. Throughout his career, he worked for General Motors and several dealerships, holding various management positions in service, finance, and business. He also taught Auto Mechanics and Auto Body at Boys Town, where he enjoyed mentoring and teaching others. Known for being loyal, kind, and dependable, he was a helper by nature. He took pride in solving problems, sharing his knowledge and skills, and was always willing to lend a hand to others. With his calming presence and quiet strength, he made people feel comfortable and cared for. He very rarely raised his voice and was known for his patience, warmth, and steady nature, but he also had a playful sense of humor and loved a good practical joke. Nothing made him laugh harder than a good prank, and he was often the practical jokester himself. He also appreciated good food and life’s simple pleasures, and some of the happiest moments were spent eating, laughing, and spending time with family. Cars were one of his lifelong passions, especially Corvettes. His favorite Corvette was the 1963 model, and one of his favorite vehicles was his Buick. He also enjoyed telling stories about “Mabel,” the truck that mysteriously seemed to move around the dorm parking lot during his college years. He regularly attended the Corvette car show in Bloomington, Illinois, and enjoyed sharing his interest in cars and racing with others.
Arthur believed strongly in helping others and staying involved in his community. He volunteered through his church, including driving the bus to bring seniors from the senior center to church services, and participated in Men’s Club and the Big Brother program. He especially enjoyed mentoring others and was always willing to offer encouragement and support to those around him. He is survived by his wife, Marcile Bonin; his daughter, Amanda Stoner and her husband, Scott Stoner, of San Ramon, California; and his son, Andrew T. Bonin and his wife, Maron Szabo, of Oakland, California. He was also a proud grandfather to Cory Ruocco of San Ramon, California, and Andrew E. Bonin of Oakland, California. Arthur is survived by his siblings: Alice Jackson of Williston, Florida; Kathey Regalis of Kansas City, Missouri; and Joe Bonin of West Chester, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur T. Bonin and Katherine Rush Bonin. A memorial service celebrating Arthur’s life will be held on May 22, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland, California. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend.
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