Tribute Wall
Loading...
R
Robin Rogers McHugh uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, January 11, 2024
/public-file/553/Ultra/0a779316-2bd5-468d-8194-e8979bb531b6.jpg
/public-file/554/Ultra/9cc1fcb8-3b90-4099-b8fb-f2a1e40a1478.jpg
/public-file/555/Ultra/1b6dbfc7-f9a4-432a-9717-7f2532ca5e80.jpg
Very saddened to hear of Mr. Artis' passing. I have ordered his poetry book which includes a small bit from his daughter, Mycah. Mr. Artis was a teacher I had at Thornridge High School in Dolton, IL. I had a couple of his classes from 1974- 1978. I took a few pictures in the last days there, thought his family may like to see them. I am the girl standing next to him, the girl on his other side is my life long friend too. He had us writing journals and would review & comment on them. I still have those journals too. He was a great teacher and as teenagers we felt seen & understood by him. Thankful I got to know him all those years ago.
C
Chantal Assaf lit a candle
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/Candle4.png
I was and still am, truly saddened about the passing of Dr. Artis. He was and is, one of my favorite professors at U of M-Dearborn. He taught me about the Great Books! I will miss him.
R
Richard Revell posted a condolence
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
My grandmother was a first cousin to John’s mother Kitty as a young boy myself and my brother would spend two weeks in the summer on their Dairy Farm in Wisconsin.Some of of the very best times of my life were there on their farm and Johnny had great times playing and working helping milk the cows and gathering eggs. We were two years apart John January 9, 1946 and me January 9, 1944.
I hadn’t see John in many years but want his family to know that I wish that Peace be with them and may he Rest In Peace
R
Raya lit a candle
Friday, September 17, 2021
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/Candle6.png
You were an amazing professor! I will miss you :(
M
Michael Byrnes posted a condolence
Wednesday, September 1, 2021
John was my sister in law Julie’s husband. We shared many, many special times together. In our youth I still remember our beginnings with John in Cedar Rapids Iowa. We were both in our early careers and striving to succeed in our separate but together worlds. John and Julie moved many times and their next stop was Skowhegan, Maine where John achieved his first principalship. Still early in his career, John was a rounding success. As many know, he continued a storied career and was a champion of the “student”. You must know that John was not only a professor of university students, but also of family and friends. I cherish the long hours we sat together and debated the political landscape. A staunch Democrat, and I a somewhat strong Republican often had enlightened discussions about the political landscape. Foremost, there was NEVER a time that we were crude, or disrespectful to one another. It was always a sharing of ideas and somehow we came to a point of respectful disagreement where necessary. Much different than the radicalization which appears so prevalent today. What I enjoyed most about John was his mind. A brilliant, brilliant, individual who could laugh, cry, debate, and love any and all who knew him. We have lost a dear, dear husband, father, relative, comrade, friend, fellow and educator.
Farewell my friend, confidant, until we meet again.
Much love,
Michael Byrnes
J
Jason Washington lit a candle
Friday, August 20, 2021
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/Candle4.png
I'm truly sorry to hear of Professor Artis' passing. He was one of my favorite professors at U of M Dearborn. I always enjoyed being in his class. He helped shape my teaching philosophy. He will be sorely missed.
M
Marcy Carbone posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
I worked with John when he was the principal at GP South High School. I had always known that art education was a vital part of the curriculum but it was John who showed me the reasons why. I learned more from him than any other administrator that I worked under. I feel I became a much better teacher because of him.
It is with great sadness that I mourn John’s passing. My thoughts are with his family…
Marcy Carbone
L
Lisa Richman posted a condolence
Monday, August 16, 2021
I was on my way to a PhD when John Artis called and offered me the German job at South. Every magical experience I had teaching young people and learning from them I owe to him. There are no words to express how grateful I am. Sending hugs and condolences and love, Lisa Richman
S
Stephen J. Spurr posted a condolence
Friday, August 13, 2021
August 13, 2021
Some Preliminary Reflections on the Life and Works of John Artis
The size of the crowd at his memorial service at the Grosse Pointe Unitarian Church on August 7, 2021, despite the season, the Covid and everything else, is a reflection of the value of John Artis to the Church and to our community, well beyond Southeast Michigan.
We have little occupational boxes that we fit people into. If you’re in education, you have several choices: you can be a teacher in the public schools, or an administrator: either a principal or possibly a superintendent of all schools in the district. Or you could be in higher education, as a college professor, or you could be a consultant. John was all of these things, but that does not begin to capture his contribution – his achievements. He was also a teaching entrepreneur and a social justice entrepreneur. He was also a great mentor for his students and colleagues in education.
1. He was a Liberal
As you probably know, John was a liberal – passionately liberal and proud of it. Over the last forty years or so, because of the well-funded campaign by the right-wing echo chamber, reaching its peak (or its nadir) under the U.S. President who preceded Joe Biden, the word “liberal” has acquired a controversial, and faintly disreputable connotation. “Liberal” has therefore been replaced by “progressive.” John was an unabashed liberal, and a formidable advocate for his views.
2. He was a leader, and a great speaker
Here’s the thing about John: when I knew he was going to give a talk in church, I always wanted to go hear him. I would have loved to have heard him talk about the conservative criticism of critical race theory! John was a natural born leader. While he had many responsibilities in the church, as trustee, worship associate, and head and member of many committees, he had an inherent clout, whether or not he had any formal appointment. He was the lion of the church. When he was speaking from the pulpit he was in his element, and we were comfortable with him as a leader.
3. He Put his Beliefs into Practice
He campaigned for Bobby Kennedy. When he was the principal of Grosse Pointe South, when my older son Nat went there, John wanted the student population to be more diverse. He thrived as superintendent of the Dearborn schools, where in schools like Dearborn Fordson dozens of languages are spoken.
4. He was a Powerful Force for Social Justice
He was a powerful and influential voice for social justice. He wanted to eliminate all remnants of discrimination against minorities, African-Americans, women, Asians, Hispanics, and gays. John believed, as I do, that they should have an equal right to obtain a high-quality education. Some people might say he was opinionated, and in fact they would be right. He had opinions, but they were deeply thought out, and based on science and liberal and humanitarian values. Martin Luther King also had opinions; Jesus had opinions too.
5. He Worked for the Church
I cannot think of anyone outside of our ministers who did more for this Church than he did. He held workshops on transcendentalism, the struggle for civil rights for women and African-Americans. We learned about civil rights heroes from him: His heroes were the same as mine: political figures like Abraham Lincoln, Harry Truman, Robert Kennedy, John Kennedy, philosophers such as Emerson and Thoreau, and activists who fought for civil rights: Martin Luther King, Cesar Chavez, Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Frederick Douglass.
6. Summary
I was very glad to have John Artis as a friend, and he will always be a part of this Church. John’s life reminds me of a quote from Shakespeare: “His life was gentle, and the elements So mixed in him that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world, “This was a man.”
-Stephen J. Spurr
F
Fran Twiddy lit a candle
Thursday, August 12, 2021
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/Candle.png
I am so sorry to hear of John’s passing. If as he said we are all alone in the world together, it is certain John made our shared journey a brighter, better, happier one. Love and peace to Julie and all the family and friends who loved him best.
F
Fatima Bazzi posted a condolence
Sunday, August 8, 2021
Dr. Artis left a legacy with educators who had the privilege to work with him. He was a visionary leader who put students at the forefront. He will be missed. May god reward you for all that you’ve done. Rest In Peace.
W
William Bushaw posted a condolence
Sunday, August 8, 2021
I greatly respected and admired John Artis as an outstanding education leader. He was progressive and caring, essential attributes in his multiple roles as a teacher and leader. I am saddened by his passing and extend my deepest condolences to his wife and other family members. Bill Bushaw
R
Rita Richards uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, August 8, 2021
/public-file/53/Ultra/65b54697-9ed7-457c-9c45-97e906a6e33d.jpeg
John was the best principal I ever worked with. He inspired me to become a better teacher even though I was close to the end of my career. Because of him I became a life long learner and teacher. My sincerest condolences to Julie and his entire family. He will be missed. Rita Richards
A
The family of John Artis uploaded a photo
Saturday, August 7, 2021
/tribute-images/3238/Ultra/John-Artis.jpg
Please wait
Three Locations From Which To Serve You
Main
15251 Harper Avenue
Detroit, MI 48224
Livonia
15451 Farmington Road
Livonia, MI 48154
Garden City
31551 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135