KOOL, Mark Edward 1958 - 2018

KOOL, DAVIS

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/25/2021 at 20:22:46

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Page 4

MARK EDWARD KOOL
Fairfield

Mark Edward KOOL, age 59, of Fairfield, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 19, 2018, at Lakeside Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, surrounded by his three sons.

The son of Marvin and Patricia KOOL, Mark Edward KOOL was born March 21, 1958, in Brookings, South Dakota. He was a graduate of Huron High School and earned his undergraduate degree and master's degree in health/physical education/recreation at South Dakota State University (SDSU).

Mark had a passion for athletics throughout his life and was an accomplished athlete. Mark was extremely proud of his time as both a player (1977-79) and a coach at SDSU, and eventually was able to watch his son Dirk play on the same field. The field his father, Marvin KOOL, also played on. His love for coaching took him to Spearfish High School, where he led them to their first State Football Championship in 1997. As a result, the South Dakota High School Coaches Association named him the 1997 Football Coach of the Year.

In addition to his time spent on the field, Mark touched the lives of countless students through his years of teaching physical education. He enjoyed teaching all grades, but especially elementary students, where Mr. KOOL brought a smile to young faces. Since 2000, Mark resided in Fairfield, Iowa, where he was an elementary physical education instructor. There, he was also able to coach all three of his sons as the varsity football coach for the Fairfield Trojans.

Mark is survived by his three sons: Dirk KOOL, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Dane (Monica) KOOL, of Omaha, Nebraska; and Cody KOOL, of Kansas City, Kansas; his grandchildren, Sawyer and Layla; his mother, Patricia KOOL; siblings, Vicky (Chuck) DAVIS, Andy (Mary) KOOL, Jonna (Eric Zurbrigen) KOOL; and many nieces and nephews and their families. Mark loved to fish, hunt, and play golf with family and friends.

Mark was preceded in death by his father, Marvin KOOL.

A celebration of life will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 27, in Huron, South Dakota, at the Lodge (formerly known as Elks Lodge). A separate celebration of life will be held form 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, February 24, in Fairfield, Iowa, at the Fairfield Golf & Country Club. All are welcome. Memorials can be made out to the family and sent to Dane KOOL (4821 South 194th Avenue, Omaha, NE 68135) and will be established at a later date by the family.

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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Front Page

Local sportsman Mark KOOL dies
By Justin Webster,
Ledger sports editor

"The bold succeed wheresoever they go." -Magnus Barefoot

Fairfield sports staple Mark KOOL passed away Friday in Omaha at the age of 59 with his three sons by his side.

After graduating from Huron High in South Dakota, KOOL followed in his father's footsteps to South Dakota State where he was later named captain as a senior, an honor both his father and his son Dirk had earned as well.

KOOL coached at South Dakota State before leading Spearfish High to its first state chapmionship, earning him the South Dakota High School Coaches Association 1997 Football Coach of the Year award.

In 2000, Mark moved to Fairfield where he was able to share his love for sports with his sons and the Trojan nation. KOOL coached his three sons Dane, Cody and Dirk at Fairfield.

"It was always about sports with us, and it was because of my mom and him," said his son Dirk. He added, "He loved to golf and hunt and fish."

As for his fandom, KOOL followed both South Dakota State and the University of Iowa and also rooted for his beloved Vikings.

Brian Dunlap worked with KOOL at the elementary school where Mark was a P.E. teacher and also coached with him on both the football and track teams at Fairfield High School.

"Elementary kids loved him and high school kids loved playing for him," said Dunlap. "He was an outstanding coach for the district. He was easy to get along with and he didn't ruffle feathers, but he would speak up when needed. I really enjoyed working with Mark."

Former Trojan head football coach Mike Schenk also had high praise for his former assistant.

"Mark was a good coach who was very knowledgeable. He brought a wealth of experience to Fairfield from his previous stops at the high school and college level." Schenk added that he was pleased and blessed to have KOOL on his staff.

Mark KOOL's full obituary is on page 4.

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Mark KOOL and his three sons, in 2004:
http://iagenweb.org/jefferson/Obit_Pictures/2018/KOOL-Mark2.jpg

Jefferson Obituaries maintained by Joey Stark.
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