Arthur Winston

Arthur Winston
Arthur Winston
Born	March 22, 1906 (age 120); Oklahoma Territory, United States
Died	April 13, 2006 (aged 100); Los Angeles, California, United States
Occupation	Employee at Los Angeles Metro (and predecessor organizations)
Years active	1922–2006
Known for	"Employee of the Century" by U.S. Department of Labor for 76 years of service

Arthur Winston (March 22, 1906 – April 13, 2006) dedicated 76 years to working with Los Angeles Metro and was honored by the U.S. Department of Labor as the "Employee of the Century" for his extraordinary dependability.

Biography

Originally from Oklahoma Territory, Winston started laboring at the age of 10 by picking cotton. His family relocated to California in 1918. After completing his education at Jefferson High School in 1922, he spent four years employed by the Los Angeles Railway but left due to racial barriers that prevented him from becoming a bus driver. He returned to the company in 1934, earning 41 cents per hour.

In 1925, Winston married Frances Smith. Together, they raised four children and had numerous descendants. Their marriage lasted 64 years until her passing in 1989. Remarkably, the only sick day Winston ever took during his 72-year career was to attend her funeral.

Winston witnessed and adapted to numerous organizational changes within his employer: from Los Angeles Railway to Los Angeles Transit Lines in 1945, then to Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority in 1958, followed by Southern California Rapid Transit District in 1964, and ultimately becoming part of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority ("Metro") in 1993.

In recognition of his unwavering commitment—marked by no instances of tardiness or early departures and only a single sick day—President Bill Clinton awarded Winston the "Employee of the Century" honor in 1996. Winston attributed his strong work discipline to lessons imparted by his father during his youth.

He retired on his 100th birthday with intentions to remain active and spend time with family. Winston credited his longevity to abstaining from alcohol and tobacco and maintaining a disciplined lifestyle.

Less than a month following his retirement, Winston passed away from heart failure at his great-granddaughter’s residence in Los Angeles. He was laid to rest at Inglewood Park Cemetery. The Arthur Winston/Mid-Cities bus yard located in Leimert Park bears his name as a tribute.

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