Obituary
It is with great sadness that our family announces the passing of Arlo McCool on December 12, 2021, at the age of 86 years.
Arlo is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Terry; daughters Barb (Wade), Dianna; and his truly special granddaughter, Laurel. He is also survived by a sister, Ruth; a brother, Warren (Mary); sister-in-law, Evelyn; and sister-in-law, and brother-in-law, Dorothy, and Karl, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Joe; and brother-in-law, Jim.
Arlo was born in the small-town Alberta of Crossfield in July of 1935 to Jim and Minnie McCool. During his growing years, Arlo belonged to the 4-H Club raising heifers and competing for prizes. He also loved music and, in his teens, would call square dances in the Crossfield Hall on Saturday nights. Arlo had a very pleasant, melodic voice and everyone enjoyed his calling. He lived on the farm until his late twenties and then moved to Calgary where he apprenticed as an Electrician. Then he moved on as a truck driver hauling fuel for Red Head, B/A Oil, Gulf, Petro-Canada, and retiring from Suncor in 1990.
Arlo truly never left the farm. During some of his days off, he would help his brother Joe do some fall harvesting or take a drive in the country to see some harvesting. It brought him great pleasure to reminisce about his days on the farm in Crossfield.
Arlo was also a cowboy at heart and loved the rodeos, especially the Calgary Stampede where he would take in as many performances as he could and would never miss out on watching or listening to his beloved chuckwagon races. One of Arlo’s proudest friendships was with Chuckwagon driver Doug Irvine. Arlo would follow Doug’s progress all season long and visit with him every chance he got at the races in High River, Calgary, and Strathmore.
Arlo loved being active and was a big fan of sports like baseball (umpping and coaching), curling, hockey, skiing, football, cheering his daughters on in soccer or taking in the odd Stamps or Flames games. Whether he was watching or participating in it, he enjoyed his sports to the fullest. Later in the year, he and Terry joined square dancing where they would spend a few nights a week dancing. It also allowed Arlo to rekindle his youth as he started calling the old-time square dances again and was recognized by several groups for his calling. Arlo learned and became quite a good pickle ballplayer when he vacationed in Arizona.
Arlo, Terry, and the family also had many years of travelling which included camping with the Drabbles (Doc and Ann and family). They also learned how to boondock with the Metzingers (Dee and Gerry). They had many adventures to Easter and Western Canada and the United States to see and spend time with family. Besides their trips to Arizona, Arlo and Terry were big participants in the Friendship Force – Calgary group of which they made trips to Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Russia, Ukraine, Japan, Germany, Holland, Puerto Rico, and Austria. They also self travelled to Mexico, Turks & Cacaos, St. Thomas, Alaska, Eastern and Western Caribbean, Argentina and Brazil, and the Panama Canal.
When the time came to end their trips south in the Spring, Arlo and Terry would spend more time with their dear friends by playing cards and games or just getting together for a meal and some laughter. One thing that everyone could count on when Arlo was around is some good-hearted ribbing and lots of laughs.
Another of Arlo’s passions was doing charitable work, especially for the annual Poppy Fund, Salvation Army Christmas Kettles (sometimes even dressing as good ol’ St. Nick himself), and the Kinsmen Calgary Stampede Drive, where he was very proud in selling a surmountable amount of tickets.
He truly held dear the friendships he had with Elvin (Mr. Fixer Upper) and Colleen Dorschere, Al and Joan Mayer, Don and Lyla Mclaren, Ron and Gail Kessler, Doug (and Sheila) Benneweis and Lynn, Dee and Gerry Metzinger, Ann (and Doc) Drabble, Marilyn and Rod Howell. We want to give a «shout out» to the special boys of the Zoom chat that made Arlo’s Tuesday’s and Thursdays very wonderful.
A huge thank you to Arlo’s close neighbours and friends – Pat and Marian, Bill and Suzanne, Ken and June, Mike and Gabe, Barry and Pat, Elin and Marie, Larry and Ruth, Peter and Marlene, Mike and Estay and any other Edgemont neighbours we forgot to mention. You were very much in Arlo’s heart.
Arlo was a wonderful husband, Dad, and Grandpa and we will miss him always. He showed us how to live life to the fullest, enjoy each moment and make time to be with family and friends.
Arlo’s family would like to extend their huge gratitude to all the doctors, nurses, and caregivers who gave a lot of their time and talent to help him on his difficult journey. They include the office of Dr. Paul Andersson, the office of Dr. Todd Anderson, and the loving care at the hospice of Dr. Sharma and all the wonderful nurses and aides.
Also, a special thank you to Pastor Dawn Nelson for her spiritual guidance to help Arlo walk through his final year.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dulcina Hospice Care or the Salvation Army, where Arlo spent many hours, each year manning the Christmas kettles.
Due to COVID and the winter weather, a Celebration of Life will be held in spring. Notification by the immediate family will be given at a later date.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Arlo Neil McCool, please visit our floral store.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Arlo Neil McCool July 7 1935 December 12 2021 (age 86)..
Décès pour la Ville: Calgary, Province: Alberta