Arnold Eugene Cook

Arnold E. Cook - Newton, Iowa (formerly Clarion) Arnold Eugene Cook, the third of six children, was born Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1920, to parents Kathryn Smith Cook and Oscar Lee Cook of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and passed away September 28, 2017, under the care of Skiff Hospice in Newton, Iowa, of complications of cardiac issues. Arnold lived through the days of the Dust Bowl and Great Depression of the 1930s. His grandfather, Henry Smith, who lived with the family for a number of years was a Civil War veteran. After graduating from Sioux Falls Washington High School in 1939, he worked for the John Morrell Meat Packing Plant for a year. In 1940, Arnold entered South Dakota State College (now South Dakota State University). As a football player, Arnold received All Conference Honors. He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves and was able to remain in college until activated. Arnold was sent to boot camp in San Diego during World War II. He participated in action on Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, and Tinian in the 2nd Division, which had 12,720 combat casualties, the most of any Marine division in the Pacific. In January 1946 Arnold resumed college and eventually met his future wife, Mary McGregor, in Spanish class. They married in Canistota, South Dakota on December 26, 1947. Upon graduation in 1948 he began teaching and coaching in Hawarden, Iowa. In 1953 after attending graduate school in the summers, Arnold received his M.S. degree in education finance from the University of Iowa courtesy of the G.I. Bill. He served as school superintendent in Valley Springs, South Dakota; Lester, (now West Lyon) Iowa; and Ponca, Nebraska, school districts. Arnold finished his professional educational career in Clarion, Iowa, as jr. high principal, retiring in 1984 as classroom teacher. For several years he and Mary would travel to McAllen, Texas, for the winter where they volunteered in several nearby schools. In 1986-87 Arnold and Mary were Volunteers in Christ’s Service in Arizona and Pharr, Texas. Mary and Arnold entered the Peace Corps in June 1987 and served in Costa Rica until September 1989; they then returned home to Clarion, Iowa. He was a member of the Lion’s Club and American Legion. Arnold was active in golfing, United Methodist Church activities, the Democratic party, skilled gardening, and was an active reader. Arnold is preceded in death by two sisters: Marjorie Williams (Don, deceased) and Elizabeth Begeman (Sam, deceased); three brothers: Wendell (Delores), William (Vivian, deceased), and Tommy, who passed away at age 3; and son-in-law Bob Barr. He is survived by his wife Mary of Newton and four children: Marnie Lewellyn (Don), Janet, Carolyn, and Matt Cook; and three grandchildren: Bonnie and Ross Lewellyn, and Allen Cook Barr. A service of remembrance will be held Tuesday, October 3rd, 1:30 p.m. at Newton Village. A later service will be held Wednesday, October 4th, 2 p.m. at the Clarion, Iowa, First United Methodist Church.In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be directed to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) or the Clarion Public Library, c/o 302 N. Main, 50525.  Johnson Funeral Service is honored to be providing arrangements for the Cook family.  johnsonfsiowa.com

SERVICES

A Service of Remembrance will be held Tuesday, October 3rd at 1:30 p.m. at Newton Village. 

A later service will be held Wednesday, October 4th, at 2:00 p.m. at the Clarion, Iowa, First United Methodist Church.  Interment of the urn will be at Clarion Evergreen Cemetery which will precede the service at 12:30 p.m.