LA VERNE >> A young woman wept in an elder’s arms, awaiting the beginning of the University of La Verne’s remembrance program for Arthur “Tury” Arzola Jr. on Wednesday night.
Speaker after speaker — professors, administrators, students, relatives and friends — echoed similar thoughts about the 26-year-old Rancho Cucamonga resident who was among the 10 fatal victims in the Orland bus crash on April 10. He was repeatedly described as generous, loving, determined, passionate about helping others, spiritual, kind and unselfish.
The main floor, balcony and hallway just outside Morgan Auditorium were filled with an overflow crowd of nearly 500 people who came to pay their respects and honor the legacy of the ULV graduate student. They said he planned to use his role as an educational counselor to transform despair into hope for all students, particularly those who are underrepresented, ethnically and economically, on most college campuses.
Tears and laughter co-mingled throughout the evening. Grief battled with stories reflecting Arzola’s sense of humor, playful teasing of his wife, Krystle, and younger brothers David and James, his infectious laughter and his love of In-N-Out burgers. Loved ones and strangers stopped and bent down to hug Krystle, his wife of two years and an ULV graduate.
All talked about the example he set for his younger brothers, nephews, nieces, cousins and high school students he mentored and counseled.
As though Arthur had whispered in James’ ears, the middle brother rose behind youngest brother David and followed him to the stage. James never spoke. He just stood beside and behind their baby brother, occasionally touching his back and shoulders, softly stroking and encouraging David whenever he faltered.
David’s tears relented when he recounted the embarrassment of getting out to push Arthur’s car when it broke down during a traffic jam on the freeway.
“People were laughing, but I didn’t care. I was laughing, too,” David said, adding his embarrassment was relieved because his big brother had asked him to push the car. He said he’d do anything for his brother because he knew his brother would do anything for him.
Looking toward heaven where he said he was sure his brother now dwelled, David said, “I love you with all my heart. Until we’re together again, I want to say thank you.”
The constant comments revolved around Arzola’s determination to take as many up the ladder of educational success as he could and his intense love for Krystle.
“When it’s right, it’s right” was how Arzola responded when others claimed he was too young to marry, ULV classmate Janice Sewell said.
He’d initially been a student in the Inland Empire Future Leaders Network and became assistant director of the program preparing students for college and careers.
The Rev. Zandra Wagoner, ULV chaplain, said Arzola was “enthusiastically passionate about everything educational.” He viewed everything as a learning experience, be it properly flipping an In-N-Out hamburger or preparing college admissions paperwork.
Bob Hansen, a ULV education professor, said “everyone wishes they had a son, husband, friend, brother, classmate like Arthur. He had no regard for personal gain. I teach the first and last class in educational counseling, so I can see the growth of students.”
And Arzola showed “amazing” growth and fortitude, he said.
“This is the first time in a 45-year career that I’ve personally lost a student. I’m trying to make sense of this,” Hansen continued. “Maybe God needed Arthur for another duty, perhaps as an admissions counselor in heaven. We can all hope he’s on duty when we die.”
Sewell talked about Arzola bursting into class, proudly announcing he’d just bought a new truck and that it didn’t matter that it had 80,000 miles on it and everyone thought he was crazy. The professor and his peers all rushed to the window to see Arzola’s “new” truck.
It was noted that Arzola epitomized the “ROPES” class he taught. ROPES was his acronym for respect, open mind, pass and participate, educate and sensitivity.
Stephanie Garcia, Krystle’s best friend since fourth grade, said her BFF’s husband expanded his circle of love to include her circle of love when they met and married.
“Krystle was an overall happy person, always smiling and laughing, before she met Art,” Stephanie recalled. “When Art came into her life, her smile became bigger, she glowed brightly and she laughed louder. She’d found her other half in Art, a man who shared her faith and love of family.”
Arzola was an ardent Dodgers fan, a crusader who “wholeheartedly believed in access, justice, possibilities, mentoring and hope” and a man who allowed others to be their very best, speakers said.
Education professor Laurie Schroeder said Arzola possessed the courage to challenge bias and stereotypes, transform despair into hope and deeply connect with others.”
In his job as an admissions counselor for Humboldt State, Arzola was chaperoning a group of 44 Southern California high school students for a campus visit last week when a FedEx truck slammed into the bus.
He was a graduate student in the university’s Educational Counseling and Pupil Personnel Services Program, who was studying to become a school counselor.
University Provost Jonathan Reed said Arzola had fully satisfied graduation requirements for his master’s degree.
“This is not an honorary degree,” Reed said. “He had earned his degree and it will be presented to his wife, Krystle, at the May 31st commencement at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario.”
