Vargas, Arthur L.

Aug. 25, 1930 - Sept. 29, 2009

Arthur (Art) L. Vargas Resident of Castro Valley Arthur (Art) L. Vargas entered into rest on September 29, 2009 at age 79. He will be remembered for his kind and generous spirit and his loving devotion to family and friends. Art was born in Hayward on August 25, 1930, the only child of Joe & Laura Vargas, and graduated from Hayward High School (January 1949). He married Jeanne on October 4, 1953 and together they raised two daughters, Debbie & Teri, in the Castro Valley home they built and shared for 56 years. Art is also survived by son-in-law, Steve Lamb, of Fairfield, and will remain the treasured and beloved Papa to grandchildren, Michael & Christopher Herrin, Brian, Kevin, Sean, Kate, JR & Dylan Lamb, his "bonus" grandchildren, godchildren, friends, and neighbors. Photography was Art's early passion: he was the HHS yearbook photographer, operated Memory Lane Studio (weddings and portraits) in Castro Valley for over 30 years, and worked as a photographer and news reporter for the Oakland Tribune covering all Southern Alameda County police beats (Hayward, Fremont, Newark, Union City & Sheriff's Departments) until his retirement in 1979. As Staff Sergeant in the US Air Force from 1950-1953, Art's talent earned him the duty of reconnaissance and combat photographer, and he served 30 months on the front lines in Korea, earning several combat medals, including the Purple Heart. Art retired from the Tribune after 25 years and immediately began a new career as Public Information Officer for Chabot College, Hayward (1980s). He and daughter, Debbie, operated Confidential Business Services, for nearly 10 years.