* Pastor Arthur Blue; Founded Church Mission

Pastor Arthur Blue, founder of Calvary Grace Community Church, a street mission that operated out of the garage of his home in Arleta, has died at a Van Nuys hospital. He was 67.

Blue died Friday after undergoing quadruple bypass surgery the day before, said his son-in-law, Tom Vandenberg.

Born in Sawtelle, Calif., he was a songwriter and actor in Hollywood, under the name Michael Lang, and in the late 1960s began doing volunteer work at the Union Rescue Mission in Los Angeles while attending Bible college.

In 1972, Blue, an evangelical Christian minister, founded the church as a street mission to help the homeless and poor in the San Fernando Valley. He collected and delivered Thanksgiving and Christmas food, clothing and toys to needy families. The mission operated out of a storefront in North Hollywood until a few years ago, when Blue moved it to his garage to save expenses.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Connie Blue; son Michael Blue of Arleta; daughter Shari Vandenberg of Acton; 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. His oldest son, David Arthur Blue, died six years ago.

Visitation is planned from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Forest Lawn Mortuary, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive in the Hollywood Hills, which is handling the arrangements. A funeral is scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday at Church of the Hills at Forest Lawn Memorial-Park in the Hollywood Hills. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Blue’s name to Calvary Grace Community Church.