Obituary: Arthur Lee Quinn, Longtime D.C. Lawyer and Children's Author, Dies at 94

The Park City resident and veteran moved to Utah in 2019 after the passing of his wife of 50 years.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Arthur Lee Quinn, a longtime resident of the Washington, D.C. area who later moved to Park City, Utah, passed away on December 29, 2025 at the age of 94. Quinn had a distinguished legal career, serving as a prosecutor in the U.S. Air Force JAG corps and later practicing agricultural law in D.C. for decades. In his later years, he fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a published children's book author. After his wife's passing, Quinn moved to Park City where he enjoyed the mountain lifestyle and developed a close group of friends.

Why it matters

Quinn's life story highlights the ability to reinvent oneself later in life, as he transitioned from a successful legal career to becoming a published author after moving to Utah. His work introducing soybeans as a cash crop in Afghanistan also demonstrates the positive impact one person can have through international development efforts.

The details

After graduating from Georgetown University Law School, Quinn began his career as a prosecutor in the U.S. Air Force JAG corps from 1957 to 1960, during which time he never lost a case and rose to the rank of captain. He then practiced law for several decades in the D.C. area, specializing in agricultural regulation and foodstuffs produced in Central America. In the 1990s and 2000s, Quinn worked with a nonprofit partner of USAID called Nutrition & Education International to introduce soybeans as a cash crop in Afghanistan, providing an alternative to opium production. After his wife Sharon passed away, Quinn moved to Park City, Utah in 2019 where he enjoyed the mountain lifestyle and became a published children's book author, with three books produced by a local publisher.

  • Arthur Lee Quinn was born on September 29, 1931.
  • Quinn passed away on December 29, 2025 at the age of 94.
  • Quinn moved to Park City, Utah in 2019 after the passing of his wife Sharon.
  • Quinn's three children's books were produced by a local publisher in Park City in the years leading up to his death.

The players

Arthur Lee Quinn

A longtime resident of the Washington, D.C. area who later moved to Park City, Utah in 2019. Quinn had a distinguished legal career, serving as a prosecutor in the U.S. Air Force JAG corps and later practicing agricultural law in D.C. for decades. In his later years, he fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a published children's book author.

Sharon Quinn

Arthur Lee Quinn's beloved wife of 50 years, who passed away prior to him moving to Park City, Utah.

Elizabeth Quinn

Arthur Lee Quinn's daughter, with whom he lived in Park City until an illness necessitated moving to a veterans home.

Katie Mullaly

The local publisher in Park City who produced Arthur Lee Quinn's three children's books: The Rarie, Brendan the Brave, Book 1, and Brendan the Brave, Book 2.

Maddie Michael and Colby Green

Utah-based illustrators who worked on Arthur Lee Quinn's children's books.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Arthur enjoyed the mountain life and developed a great group of friends, affectionately nicknamed the 'Park City Posse.'”

— Elizabeth Quinn, Arthur Lee Quinn's daughter (Park Record)

What’s next

Arthur Lee Quinn's children's books will continue to be available through local publisher Surrogate Press and online at arthurleequinn.com.

The takeaway

Arthur Lee Quinn's life story demonstrates the ability to reinvent oneself later in life, as he transitioned from a successful legal career to becoming a published children's book author after moving to Utah. His work introducing soybeans as a cash crop in Afghanistan also highlights the positive impact one person can have through international development efforts.