Arthur Harold Abrott ~ Beloved Family Man, Rancher, Mason

Arthur Harold Abrott, “Art”, was born July 19, 1918 in Oakland, CA. to parents Lawrence A. and Alice E. Abrott. Art passed away on November 21, 2021 at his ranch in Beatty, OR. As a youngster growing up he loved to hunt the surrounding hills of the Oakland area, as well as on the family ranch located in the hills out of Sunol, CA. His father owned Western Scenic Studios, which was involved in the making of early movies for the Essanay Film Co. in Niles, CA. and in stage productions specializing in lighting, drapery and scenery production.

After graduating from high school, Art was drawn more and more to the hills, and moved to the ranch where he lived as a bachelor for several years. It was there on Sept. 7, 1941 that the accident involving a fall with a rifle, resulting in the loss of his left arm happened. Art was alone and being unable to stop the profuse bleeding, managed to drive himself down the steep, narrow road from the ranch towards possible help in the little town of Sunol. He passed out and was eventually transported to St. Paul’s hospital in Livermore, CA. where doctors narrowly saved his life. Not only did he survive the wounds and amputation of his arm, he also managed to survive gaseous gangrene which had set in due to the doctor’s reluctance to immediately amputate his arm.

Living back at the ranch on his own, Art and his father purchased some cattle. Improvements and additions to the ranch were made over the years, and family and friends gathered there frequently, especially during deer hunting season. Friends introduced Art to the love of his life, Mary Lee Walker in the fall of 1947. They were married on June 19, 1948 and lived on the ranch raising their three children until it became necessary to sell the ranch in the early 70’s. Art and Mary both worked off the ranch at various jobs to earn extra money.

For several years Art worked as a Brand inspector for the State of California, and years later for the State of Nevada for a short time. Art eventually went to real estate school and got his license and worked in that field for a few years. The knowledge gained there was essential when it came time to sell the ranch, as the East Bay Regional Park and the Sierra Club tried to stop him from selling. Art won the battle and the family moved to Smith Valley, NV. where they eventually bought two small ranches.

He and daughter Nora, started to develop a small herd of registered Limousin cattle, and sold alfalfa hay to dairies in California. They did well with their cattle, earning several championship honors at the Cow Palace and other shows and sales.

One of Art’s desires came true while living in Nevada, as he became a member of the order of Free Masons. He held memberships at Amity Lodge in Silver City, and Hope Lodge in Yerington. He became Master at Hope Lodge in 1985. Art truly enjoyed being a Mason.

Drought and battles brewing over water rights, prompted the family to sell the Nevada properties and move to Beatty, OR., in 1992. Mary passed away in October of 2004, and life never was the same without her by his side.

He still enjoyed hunting and working on the ranch with the cattle. He also enjoyed attending brandings and watching the action, offering stories along the way of how he and his friends did it way back when. His love of hunting stayed a lifelong passion. Deer hunting was his favorite, but he also loved to hunt pheasant, quail and ducks. Shooting off hand with only one arm and being deadly accurate with rifle and shotgun was quite a feat.

Art never asked for help saddling his horse, and roping at brandings was something to behold as he adapted methods to do everything with one arm. His Grandfather Harry was a blacksmith and had taught Art how to shoe horses at a younger age, so he figured out how to make that work with one arm as well.

Art is survived by his three children, John Abrott and wife Maralyn of Smith Valley, NV., daughter Sherry Himmelrick and husband Wayne of Emmett, ID., and daughter Nora Koenig and Vern Maldonado of Beatty, OR. Grandsons Frank Abrott and wife Nicole of Reno, NV., and Kellen Koenig of Bonanza, OR. Great Granddaughters Alex Freshman and husband Taylor, and Maci Abrott all of Reno, NV. And Gr. Gr. Granddaughter Blake Freshman of Reno, NV.

Per Art’s wishes, no funeral services will be held. Cremation will be handled by Davenport’s Chapel in Klamath Falls, OR. A memorial will be held at a later date at the ranch in Beatty.