Passing of Paul Artman, Former Irwin Province Commander

The Honorable Paul C. Artman, Jr. (Delta Beta–Delta State ’70), former Commander of the Emmett Lee Irwin Province, passed away on December 28, at the age of 70. His obituary may be found here. 

First elected Irwin Province Commander on February 13, 1982, Artman had previously served as Delta Beta Chapter Alumnus Advisor for nine years. He continued serving as province commander for 12 years until 1994. He was a member of the Irwin Province Court of Honor. On August 6, 2009, then Knight Commander James R. Estes awarded him with the Knight Commander’s Accolade for excellence in service and leadership, during the 68th Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

Artman served as Mayor of Greenville, Mississippi, one of three KAs to hold that post in succession, from 1996 to 2004. The 34th Executive Council authorized and then Knight Commander J. Michael Duncan presented him with the Order’s Award for Distinguished Public Service on November 14, 2009, at a reception at the home of the parents of then Councilor C. Douglas Simmons III, during a meeting of Executive Council in Tribbett, Mississippi. 

He is survived by Barbara, his wife of 46 years. Family visitation was on December 31, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Greenville, Mississippi, followed by a Funeral Mass. 

You may make a donation in his memory to the Kappa Alpha Order Educational Foundation.