Arthur "King Arthur" Vigne Jr.

Arthur Vigne, Jr. was born on November 11th, 1929, to the late Arthur Vigne, Sr. and Reachal Theresa Montgomery Vigne. He was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, and was called home to his Heavenly Father on July 16th, 2019, at the age of 89 years. Arthur attended Xavier University Preparatory High School (St. Katharine Drexel Preparatory School) and went on to study the cornet and trumpet, receiving a music certification from Grunewald’s School of Music. Shortly after, he joined the United States Army in 1948, where he achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC). In 1953, he was honorably discharged from military service as a decorated soldier of the Korean War, where he received a Korean Service Medal of 5 Bronze Stars (KSM), a Silver Star Medal (SSM), a United Nations Service Medal for Korea (UNKM), a Presidential Unit Citation (PUC), and a Purple Heart for his injuries suffered as a Prisoner of War (POW). After his discharge, Arthur went on to work as a Merchant Marine until he returned to his home in New Orleans. He worked in a plethora of jobs throughout his career, most notably as a limousine driver for New Orleans Limousine Service, as a local musician, and even trying his hand at acting, when he garnered a small role in the Paramount Pictures film, Pretty Baby. He then went on to his career as a Commissioned Reserve Deputy Sheriff for the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Department, which he did until his retirement. Among his social and civic affiliations, Arthur served with The Knights of Peter Claver, Council # 50, and was a member of the Autocrat Social Aid and Pleasure Club, The Jolly Bunch Social Aid and Pleasure Club, and The Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, where he served in multiple capacities including Sergeant at Arms, Grand Marshall, Duke Captain, and then reigned as the illustrious King Zulu in 1988. Arthur was pre-deceased by his parents, Arthur and Reachal Theresa Vigne his wife, Gale Williams Vigne, and his son, Shannon Story. His life and memory will forever be cherished by his sister, Javetta Vigne of New Orleans; his daughters, Wanda Vigne and Karen Miller of New Orleans, Stacey S. Jackson (Raymond) of Gretna, and Gina M. Vigne (Joseph Alvarez) of New Orleans; his son, Arthur P. Vigne, III (Kimberly) of Atlanta; his eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild, and a host of other relatives and a multitude of friends. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a funeral service on Saturday, July 27th, 2019 at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 2200 Louisiana Avenue, New Orleans, LA, 70115 at 10:00 am. Visitation will begin at 8 am. and continue through 10 am. Interment: Mount Olivet Cemetery. Arrangements by D. W. Rhodes Funeral Home. 3933 Washington Ave.

Arthur "King Arthur" Vigne Jr.

July 16, 2019