Arthur Means, Jr. obituary (2024)

Arthur Means, Jr. was born in Birmingham, Alabama on August 8th,1936 to Josephine and Arthur Means.

He passed away peacefully on June 12th, 2024, surrounded by loving members of his family.

Mr. Means is a product of Birmingham City Schools where he attended Lincoln Elementary and AH Parker High School. He was an excellent student whose exemplary work ethic began with a newspaper route.

The love of music began early as well as impeccable dressing which was influenced by his father style.

As an elementary student he was introduced to the trumpet by his older sister, Lorraine and trained by W. W. Handy, the nephew of Jazz great W. C. Handy. As he progressed to high school, Mr. Means participated in concert, symphonic, and marching band under the direction of Mr. John T. “Fess” Whatley where his love of the trumpet continued. To earn extra money, Mr. Means participated in “gigs” as he called them at various locations throughout Birmingham.

After high school graduation, Mr. Means received several scholarships to attend college, but chose Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio to escape the Jim Crow South. At Central State, Mr. Means earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Music Education and became in high demand as a jazz musician on and off campus. On the campus, according to friend, Arthur was known as a “cool, classy, and superbly dressed dude” and quickly was given the nickname “King Arthur”. Mr. Means had a wonderful sense of humor and was voted “Most Humorous Male’ in the Central State 1958 Yearbook. On December 14th, 1956, Mr. Means was initiated into his beloved Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Delta Zeta chapter.

His love of music was an important part of his life, but education was also paramount. During his life, Mr. Means continued extensive studies at Ohio State University, Kent State University, Otterbein University, and University of Alabama-Birmingham.

Mr. Means began his professional career at GW Carver High School when the school first opened in 1959. During his 37-year tenure, he introduced a style of precision drill, band pageantry, and showmanship that was, and still is, second to none. He served as Fine Arts department chair at the initial GW Carver High School, and his years there earned Mr. Means a reputation that was honored throughout the state of Alabama. Mr. Means genuinely cared for his students and not only became a role model, but lovingly took on a father-figure role to many. Through strict discipline, high standards, and demonstration of a strong work ethic, Mr. Means encouraged his students and family alike, to always strive for excellence. In addition to his career in education, Mr. Means also worked part-time at Southern Research Institute for over 25 years in order to provide for his family.

His concert and symphonic bands received ratings of Excellent and Superior in every festival attended at the District and State level. Mr. Means marching band consistently received ratings of Excellent and Superior and was featured on CNN in 1991 where Mr. Means was honored for his outstanding contributions in instrumental music.

In 1996, he was recruited to re-establish the band program at Miles College. After only a few months of Mr. Means tutelage, the Miles College band was selected to provide the music for President William “Bill” Clinton’s campaign rally held in Birmingham. The recognition of his hard work and the acknowledgement that a professional and elite band, “The Purple Marching Machine” had been created at Miles College grew the band membership from 32 members when he accepted the role, to a 200-band membership. The task was monumental, but the goal was achieved because Mr. Means made sure that many talented music students were provided scholarships who may not have otherwise been afforded the opportunity to attend college. Designations of “Band of the Year” by the Birmingham Grid Forecasters followed in addition Mr. Means was selected as “Band Director of the Year” while at Miles College for the years 1998, 1999, and 2000. The “Purple Marching Machine” under Mr. Means guidance, performed at Marching Band Festivals, HBCU “Battle of the Band” competitions, parades throughout the southeast and notably participated in the 76Th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2002. Through the NBC cameras, the Purple Marching Machine illustrated to an estimated 60 million viewers what musical excellence and drill proficiency looked like. Miles President, Dr. Albert J.H. Sloan said that “participating in an event with the magnitude and high visibility of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was an extraordinary honor that highlighted that few HBCU bands get to experience.”

Mr. Means was a role model to his students and had a direct influence on many students who were not under his tutelage. Notably, Mr. Means taught and encouraged the continued education of students now practicing in medicine, law, technology, theology, education, and music instructors, just to name a few. The following Birmingham City Schools Band and Orchestra Directors, Leroy Allen, AH Parker High School; Robert Benton, South Hampton K-8; Alverdean Huggins-Bonner, Lewis and Riggins Elementary Schools; Tamara Jones Travis, Epic Elementary School; Edward Crenshaw, Ramsay High School; Edward Maddox, Woodlawn High School; Anita Jackson Dye, Ramsey High School; James “Bubba” Lewis, Bush Middle School; Charles Reed, Hayes Middle School, and John T. McAphee, Jr., Carver High School Coordinator of Fine Arts.

Legacy is important, and Mr. Means lived to see two buildings named in his honor. The Arthur Means, Jr. Music Hall on the campus of Miles College, and the Arthur Means, Jr. Fine Arts Complex on the campus of GW Carver High School. He was so deeply moved by each recognition and the hard work of the committee’s who energetically advocated on his behalf.

A member of Sixteenth Street Baptist Church since age 10, he accepted Christ at an early age. Mr. Means was a dedicated deacon of the church for over 50 years. Mr. Means was the original Orchestra Director at Sixteenth Street. He was a member of the Music Educators’ National Conference (MENC) and received the Leadership Service Award for 50 continuous years of service in 2021. He was also a member of the Alabama Music Educators’ Association (AMEA); the Alabama Band Association (ABA), and Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity. During Mr. Means career, he served as clinician, adjudicator and judge for high school and college musical programs throughout the state of Alabama. He has received countless awards, honors and proclamations for his excellence, professionalism, and leadership too numerous to note, and although he was always extremely grateful for the recognition, but Mr. Means was a humble man.

Mr. Means was supported by his family throughout his illness, but his strong conviction of God, steadfast determination, and unwavering spirit saw him through. Whenever he was asked how he was doing, he always said “I’m leaning on God’s unchanging Hand”. His family overflows with pride, but to us, he was much more than his accomplishments and accolades. Mr. Means will forever be profoundly loved and remembered for his character, calm demeanor, welcoming smile and the way that he made each of us feel tremendously loved. He enjoyed watching basketball, Alabama football, ShowTime at the Apollo re-runs, marching band YouTube videos, and joking with his grandchildren. He leaves to cherish his memory, a loving wife of 52 years, Dathia Lanier Means; Son, Damon Means; Daughter, Felicia Means Bishop of Jacksonville, FL; Sister, Lorraine Means Gregg of Tacoma, WA; Sister, Veronica Means Perry (Mitchell) of Stone Mountain, GA ; Grandchildren, Taylor Bishop, Chicago, IL; Jared Bishop, Atlanta, GA; Chandler Bishop, Brooklyn, NY; Great-Grandchildren, Master Legend and Little Miss. Cori Ann, Chicago, IL., along with a host of nieces, nephews and an abundance of friends, extended family and beloved former students.

Now and Forever in our hearts……Prof. Arthur Means, Jr……. “The Man, The Myth, The Legend”

Funeral Service Saturday, June 22nd at 12:00 Noon from 16th Street Baptist Church, 1530 - 6th Ave. North, 35203. Burial in Patterson - Forest Grove Cemetery, Pleasant Grove, Al. Public viewing Friday 12-5:30 PM with a Kappa service at 4:30 PM. Face Mask and Social Distancing required. Arrington Funeral Home Directing.