Arthur William Layne was born on September 15, 1945, in Washington D.C. His early childhood brought various challenges and trials as he and his brothers were raised by foster parents in Virginia for the early years of their childhood. After dropping out of high school and earning his GED, Art enlisted in the Air Force where he served four years, stationed in Japan.

After his honorable discharge, Art used his G.I. Bill to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1972 and his Masters in Health Administration in 1976. Art immediately distinguished himself in the program being elected class president and earning the Charles P. Caldwell Leadership Award in 1978. After graduation, Art went on to work as a hospital administrator in North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Arizona, serving twenty years as Chief Executive, followed by another ten years working with healthcare strategic planning data for market analysis, provider profiling, and projecting future utilization.

For many years, Art would return to VCU for one week to mentor students and work with faculty in the M.H.A. program as an Executive in Residence. In his leisure, Art enjoyed working on projects (both at home and for others), bike-riding, serving in his church, and occasionally shooting hoops with his grandchildren.

Art is survived by his wife of twenty-nine years, Marnie Layne (Scott), his siblings Vernon, Ken, Greg, and Seretha, as well as his two daughters, Jessica Waller (married to Bobby) and Ashley Navarrette (married to Kyle), and his six grandchildren Alivia (17), Luke (17), Henry (14), Ryann (14), Wyatt (13), and Hannah (9).

For those who knew Art and for complete strangers, what became clear is his ability to converse with anyone, sharing his welcoming smile, telling stories, and extend his helping hand to serve those in need. Art was the example of Christ throughout his life; he showed love, affirmed the dignity in all, and used his time, talent, and means to bless others. He truly lived out what we read in Acts 20:35– “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” We ask for all who knew and loved Art to continue to live out the legacy of his life- Love the LORD with all your heart and work hard in all that you do for the sake of others and not merely for yourself. Look for moments to give and serve others; it is what Christ calls us to do, and it would certainly honor the memory of Arthur William Layne.

THERE IS NO PAST AND NO FUTURE

TODAY WILL BE THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE

WHERE IS THAT MOMENT THAT MAKES MY HEART LEAP?

WILL IT BE A LOOK, WORD OR TOUCH?

I MUST BE AWARE LESS MY GIFT BE MISSED

WHO WILL BE THE GIVER, WILL IT BE ME?

WILL IT BE THE JOY OF STANDING AFTER THE WAVE HAS COME?

CAN I BE TRUSTED WITH JOY?

WILL I REJECT IT, RECEIVE IT OR DARE TO SHARE IT?

DO I HAVE ROOM IN MY HEART TO CARE ABOUT ME?

CAN I TRUST ME WITH TODAY OR IS REALITY ONLY A DREAM OF WHAT THE

PAST WAS NOT AND WHAT TOMORROW WOULD BE IF

THANK YOU GOD THAT MY EYES CAN SEE, MY HANDS CAN TOUCH AND MY MIND CAN UNDERSTAND

TODAY, I WILL GIVE THANKS FOR TODAY

TODAY, I WILL LOVE AND BE LOVED

I WILL JOY IN MY OPPORTUNITIES TO FEEL THE LIGHT AND HEAR THE SILENCE

I AM ME, WONDERFULLY MADE, FULL OF STRENGTH AND TRUSTING THAT

TODAY IS MY PRIZE

AWL