Arturo López Cueva, age 79, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 22, 2024, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Born on April 28, 1945, in a small village near Mascota, Jalisco, Mexico, Arturo was the beloved son of the late José Cueva and Victoria López Cueva.

Arturo's journey from humble beginnings working on his family farm to becoming a leader in the celery industry is a testament to his intelligence, curiosity, and connection with people. In 1963, he joined his father and uncle in California's fields, beginning his career as a celery cutter. With his calm yet strong presence and natural charisma, Arturo earned the trust and respect of everyone he worked with, from fellow laborers to company executives. He led by example, inspiring others with his hard work and dedication. By 1971, he became a Foreman, and in 1981, a Supervisor at Bud of California. His talents and leadership culminated in his 1996 promotion to Celery Harvest Superintendent for Dole Fresh Vegetables, where he oversaw celery production until his retirement in 2018.

Though Arturo's success was driven by his keen intellect, much of it also stemmed from his ability to connect with people at every level. Whether working in the fields or with office personnel, Arturo's presence was always calming and confident. His last boss mentioned "I can truly say that Don Arturo was one of the best persons I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He was very intelligent, creative, kind, honest, hardworking, patient and positive. He certainly made the world a better place! He developed groundbreaking methods for improving celery yields and production quality, and his efforts helped meet the specific demands of global markets, including China, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore. His legacy in agriculture includes the invention of a new shipping box that continues to be used today for transporting celery worldwide.

Outside of work, Arturo was a devoted father and loving grandfather who cherished spending time with his family. He loved playing golf, attending concerts, traveling, and going to sporting events with his children. He is survived by his five children, who love him dearly and wish they had more time with him: Nanci Cueva of Oxnard, California; Hector and his wife Alma Cueva of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Graciela Cueva of San Diego, California; Lidia "Giselle" Cueva of San Diego, California; and Arturo Fernando Cueva of Ventura, California.

As a gentle and proud grandfather, affectionately known as "Tito," Arturo's eyes shone with pride and deep love toward his four grandchildren: Hector Arturo Cueva, Brandon Cueva, Daniela Driver, and Kiana Driver. He also leaves behind two brothers, Rodrigo and his wife Victoria Cuevas of Oxnard, California, and Roberto and his wife Alicia Cuevas of Somis, California; as well as one sister, Teresita and her husband Jesús Gonzalez of Oxnard, California.

Arturo's leadership and dedication to his craft earned him the title of "The Celery Whisperer," and his contributions transformed both his industry and his own life. His legacy is one of innovation, integrity, and the countless lives he touched with his warmth and wisdom.

Funeral services will be held in Oxnard, California, on October 5th. Arturo's family, friends, and colleagues will deeply miss him, but his spirit will continue to live on through the many lives he enriched.