WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Arthur Emerson Jeffers, III, of Falls Church, Virginia, passed away on December 2, 2025 at the age of 70. Born on January 20, 1955, Art grew up in Three Rivers, and was a 1973 graduate of Three Rivers High School. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management from Michigan State University in 1978, a degree that launched his career in public service.
Art was married for 43 years to Janis Thielen Jeffers, and together they built a family in Falls Church. Art was preceded in death by his father, Arthur Emerson Jeffers, Jr., and his mother, Alice Jeanine Abshire Jeffers. He is survived by his siblings, James Jeffers of Vancouver, Washington; Jeanine Jeffers Woolf of Cleveland, Ohio; and Jodine Jeffers of Keizer, Oregon.
Art was the devoted father of Kelsey Erin Jeffers of Alexandria, Virginia, and Arthur Brandt Jeffers of Fairfax, Virginia. He took immense pride in his family, and nothing delighted him more than becoming a grandfather. Brandt and his wife, Elizabeth Goldbaum Jeffers, blessed him with two grandchildren, Theo Rylan (4) and Sadie Violet (2). Art was thrilled to have met his newest grandson, Kai Jeffers Doumbia, who was born to Kelsey and her husband, Lassine Alexander (Alex) Doumbia on November 23, 2025.
Art retired after a 30-year career with the federal government. He was especially proud of his work with NOAA in the Coastal Zone Management Program and the Marine Mammal Protection Program, as well as his later service with the U.S. Forest Service. One of the highlights of his career was his final role serving as Supervisor of the Huron-Manistee National Forest in Michigan.
Art loved sailing, traveling, watching movies, playing pinochle, and figuring out how to fix things. At Christmas, he enjoyed entertaining the family with his yo-yo tricks.
Art also cherished his role as caretaker of the family cottage “Up North” on the shores of Lake Michigan, a special place where he spent time every year since his birth with family and friends.
Art will be remembered for his gentle humor, his steady wisdom, his love of nature, and his unwavering dedication to the people he loved. His presence as a husband, father, Grandpa Art, Uncle Jeff, brother and friend will be deeply missed. His memory will be carried forward by all who were fortunate enough to know him.
Those wishing to honor Art can send a donation in his name to the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy @ https://www.gtrlc.org/dontate/tribute.
