Arsen Michael Missakian was born on June 30, 1946, in Santa Monica, CA to Mike (Mesrob) Missakian and Blanche (Siranoush)  Arsenian Missakian and passed away at the age of 78 with his family by his side.

Arsen was the youngest of three siblings, his sister Rose Marie (Missakian) Avedian, with whom he shared the same birth date thirteen years apart, and his brother Harold Bob Missakian.

At age two, the family moved from Santa Monica, CA to Selma, CA where they bought their family farm, the same farm Arsen came to enjoy living at the rest of his life. The family attended St Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church in Fowler, and Arsen and his siblings were active in Sunday School and ACYO.  Arsen attended Selma schools and graduated from Selma High School in 1964.  He then went on to study viticulture at Reedley College.  Due to the health of his parents, farming became his life as he took over and expanded the family operation.

Arsen met Annie Koroyan in January of 1971 and they were married on December 11, 1971. They built a happy home for 52 wonderful years.  In June of 1974, they were blessed with a son, Michael Arsen Missakian and in October of 1984 they were blessed once more with their second son Eric Levon Missakian.  October 2010 was another joyous occasion when his son Michael married Diyana Maamary, and he gained the daughter he always wanted.  Arsen and Annie became proud grandparents to three grandsons: Mason Michael in 2012, Myles Arsen in 2014 and Micah Jordan in 2017.

Arsen was a soft spoken, quiet and knowledgeable person who loved his family, his close friends, his ranch, his home, his life.  He will be missed but always be remembered by his loving family and by his close friends. He visited often with these friends at the local coffee shop or at home.  He also enjoyed spending time with his out-of-town friends who would visit him and fly to different cities for a lunch or dinner or an overnight stay.  Arsen was a selective traveler; however, he was always the designated driver of the 15 passenger van traveling with his family and extended family to the many trips to the Bay area or to Disneyland.  Also memorable was the family vacation with his children and grandchildren to Pelican Hill in Newport.  Arsen also made many trips with Annie, visiting his son Eric at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo.

Family time was very important to Arsen as he truly enjoyed the quality time and attending events with his children and grandchildren.  Upon retirement, he made an active effort visiting his daughter-in-law Diyana and grandchildren multiple times a week, whether it was school or sports activities or just an impromptu lunch.  He looked forward to going out to dinner on Friday nights with his family and the Sunday BBQs at Michael and Diyana's home.  Holidays were enjoyable also as he also got to see and enjoy his extended family.

Arsen was very close to his sister Rose and brother Harold. They used to talk long hours on the phone and often visited each other.  In 2009 he lost his sister to cancer and in 2013 the sudden loss of his brother.  The loss of both his loved ones was very difficult to overcome for Arsen.

For the past few years, although Arsen's health was declining, he made every effort, and gave his everything to still enjoy his family time and the precious moments with them.  He was a fighter until the end and on September 3, 2024, God finally called him home.  He will be missed, but the good memories will always be cherished and last forever in our hearts.

Arsen is preceded in death by his parents, Mike and Blanche Missakian, his sister Rose Avedian and his brother Harold.  He is survived by his wife Annie, son Michael and his wife Diyana, his son Eric and his three grandchildren, Mason, Myles and Micah.  He is also survived by his brother-in-law Norman Avedian and his two nephews Harold Missakian Jr and Ryan Missakian, his brother-in-law John (Varouj) Koroyan, his wife Nora Koroyan, his nephew Jeffrey Koroyan and niece Tanya Koroyan.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, September 13, 2024 at 10:00 am at St Gregory Armenian Church in Fowler, CA.

Interment will follow church services at Masis Ararat Cemetary in Fresno, CA.

A memorial luncheon will be held following the interment at Pardini's in Fresno, CA.

Remembrances may be made to:

St Gregory Armenian Church

P O Box 246, Fowler, CA  93625

Or

Western Diocese of the Armenian Church Stewardship Fund

3325 N Glenoaks Blvd, Burbank, CA 91504