Arthur Earl 'Red' Baskerville

Known as “Red”, “Papa B”, “Art”, quot;Mr. Bquot;, or “Baskerville” by his family and friends, Arthur Earl Baskerville transitioned peacefully in his sleep at the age of 93 on Tuesday, May 9, 2017. He was born to Caesar and Estelle Baskerville on May 14, 1923 in Raleigh North Carolina, the youngest of six children. He was predeceased by his wife of 70 years, Juanita, son, Earl, and siblings, Alice Johnson, Lela Johnson, Corrine Phillips, Bettye Owens, and Austin Baskerville. At the urging of his best friend whose father was the high school band director, Art joined his high school band. His first instrument was the trombone. During World War II, he joined the Army Air Force and was stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base with the Air Force Band, playing the trombone. In the same year, he was transferred to the Lockborne Air Force Base, in Columbus, Ohio, to play with the 766th Band, which was the Air Force’s major touring orchestra. Art played with some of the greatest jazz musicians including Elvin Jones, Willie Ruff, Dwike Mitchell, and Avery Parrish. During 1949, the 766th Band toured the United States with a show named “Operation Happiness.” In 2008, he had the privilege of participating in the Honors Flight to Washington, DC to recognize World War II Veterans. After he was discharged from the military, Art continued playing the trombone and piano on the local jazz scene. He played for many years with Raleigh “Ol Boss” Randolph’s Sultans of Swing, the Clarence Olden Orchestra, Emile Leon’s Orchestra, Lee Booker and Gene Walker. He was inducted into the 1999 Jazz Musician’s Hall of Fame and was an active member of the American Federation of Musicians Local 589. In addition to being a working musician, Art was employed by General Motors after his discharge from the Air Force in 1950. Retiring from General Motors in 1985, he was a member of United Auto Workers Union, Local 969, and participated in the Local 969 Union Bowling League. His favorite quip for his bowling team was “no problem”. Art lived life to its fullest and enjoyed traveling with his wife and family to many places around the world. His favorite cities included Las Vegas, Monte Carlo, Rio De Janeiro and Rome. He was an active follower of sports including baseball, basketball, and football. He was a diehard Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians, and Cleveland Cavalier fan. Art was a member of St. Dominic Church, where he was an active choir member, often adding his own embellishments to his favorite hymns. He was proud of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and was not timid in boasting about their accomplishments. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Those who remain to cherish memories of Art include his daughter Estelle (Richard) Diehl of Columbus, Ohio; son Ronald (Carmen) Baskerville of Canton, Michigan; grandchildren, Damien (Alisha) Baskerville of West Jordan, Utah, Tanya Baskerville of Orlando, Florida, Aaron Diehl of New York, New York, and Ingrid Diehl of Columbus; great grandchildren, Chanel Crow of Scottsdale, Arizona, Cobe Marlor, Jada Baskerville, and Aaliyah Baskerville, all of West Jordan; special daughter-in-law Gerry Baskerville of Detroit, Michigan; and a host of other relatives and friends.