David S Arthurs Sr

David S. Arthurs Sr., a Minnesota born newspaperman who adopted Citrus County as his home, died Monday, August 8, 2022 in Inverness. He was 92.
He is survived by two daughters and a son; Kevon Katherine Arthurs of Inverness; Sarah Eron Arthurs Fergis (Chris Fergis) of Phoenix, AZ; and David S. Arthurs, Jr. (Cris Arthurs) of Fort Walton Beach, Fl.
He is also survived by grandchildren and great-grandchildren including Austin and Alexis Fergis of Phoenix; Victoria and Andrew Arthurs of Fort Walton Beach; Fernanda Fergis-Valenzuela and her husband, Kevin Cabrera; and great-granddaughters Amilia Cabrera and Mackenzie Rose Vilceanu. One granddaughter, Raijanna Rose Morrow, is predeceased.
Arthurs was an entrepreneur, radio station founder, travel agency owner, banker, real estate investor and man about town. His most well-known enterprise was the Citrus County Chronicle, the small-community newspaper he purchased in 1964 (along with the Dunnellon Press) and then turned it into a booming publishing business. He eventually owned newspapers in Inverness, Crystal River, Beverly Hills, Dunnellon, Bushnell and Wildwood.
Arthurs was born April 6, 1930 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and attended Kemper Military Academy and the University of Kansas, where he majored in newspaper entrepreneurship. He was in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict.
After completing his military service Arthurs came to Florida where he worked for the John H. Perry Newspaper Company in both Delray Beach and Palatka, Florida. He served as Vice President of the large newspaper chain.
In 1964 he purchased the weekly Citrus County Chronicle and began a twenty year run as the publisher/owner of the paper. He grew the newspaper into the dominant publication in the region.
In 1980 he sold the newspapers to Landmark Community Newspapers Inc. and remained as publisher until 1984. Arthurs’ leadership in journalism was well known. He served as president of the Florida Press Association. In 1983, the Chronicle was named best community newspaper in the state of Florida.
Until the time of his death he was Publisher Emeritus of the Chronicle.
Arthurs was equally involved in the radio business in central Florida. He owned WTRS radio in Dunnellon for many years. He later was one of the founding partners with WXOF.
His support of radio carried over to the University of Florida where in 2002 he created the David S. Arthurs Family Public Radio Endowment. His efforts with the school of journalism led to the creation of the PBS public radio station WJUF based in Inverness.
He operated Accent Travel in Inverness for many years and once started the restaurant “Murphy’s” with his long-time business partner and friend, Clerk of the Court Walt Connors.
Arthurs was well known for his strong community involvement. He helped organize the 1976 U.S. Centennial Celebration in Citrus County and in conjunction with the patriotic events he published “Back Home” the official history of the county by Hampton Dunn.
He served as president of the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce and was involved with many civic and community events. His was active in the cultural affairs of the county and helped the Art League start the annual Festival of the Arts on the Courthouse Square in Inverness. He volunteered with the City of Inverness on its redevelopment design and assisted the county historical society at the old courthouse.
Arthurs remained active in his home town of Atchison, KS where he served on the board of Blish-Mize, a major hardware distribution company in a 13 state region. In Atchison, he is survived by his brother John H. Mize Jr. and sister Courtney M. Laurie. David was preceded in death by his mother Katherine S. “Girley” Mize, and step father John H. Mize, Sr., brother Truman Arthurs, and sister Joanie Arthurs.
A memorial service is planned Saturday, Aug. 20 at 2 p.m. at the Calvary Chapel in Inverness right next to the Charles Davis Funeral Home on U.S. 41 in Inverness.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the David S. Arthurs Family Public Radio Endowment at University of Florida or the United Way of Citrus County at 1582 N Meadowcrest Blvd, Crystal River, Fl. 34429. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home With Crematory assisted the family with all arrangements.