Dennis "Denny" Lee Cool

When someone is identified as a natural leader, certain images come to mind. First thoughts are of a no-nonsense, tough-minded, dedicated and disciplined person. This description accurately fits Dennis Lee Cool who was indeed a man many people looked up to and admired. He will be remembered as being organized (labeling his tools and all; yet somewhat forgetful, forgetting where he placed those labeled tools), practical, and realistic, (however, not so realistic with time). He was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with him throughout his life. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, Denny was an individual who clearly communicated to those around him just who he was and what he was all about. Everyone acquainted with Denny knew him as a well-respected man who was a stable force in his community.

      Denny was born on June 13, 1946 at Piqua Memorial Hospital in Piqua, Ohio. His parents were Byron & Margaret Cool. Denny was raised in Bradford & Greenville, OH. Even as a youngster, Denny learned to be objective and decisive. His faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that he carried with him throughout his life.

      As a young boy, Denny was able to put his natural abilities to work. He was a bit like the sergeant of the family, helping to make sure that the others did what they should do and that they avoided those things they weren’t supposed to. In other words, he liked to organize and direct. He had one younger sister, Becky. Denny had an appreciation for the order in the family, allowing for the oldest members to be the respected and to take on the most responsibility. For Denny, this was a natural order of life, one he gladly embraced.

      Denny's matter-of-fact attitude about most things was developed during his childhood. As a young boy, Denny enjoyed being part of teams, and organizations and groups of other kids who shared similar interests. Denny took part in barn ball, track, swimming, baseball, and water skiing. He was a boy scout with his mom as a scout master, and played a lot of unorganized baseball games. In his spare time he liked hunting and putting model planes and cars together. Denny's memorable achievements included pulling pranks with his sister on babysitters. They wouldn't come back!

      A logical and focused thinker, Denny was always good at following directions and meeting his schedules (fashionably late), whether they were set by his teachers or were self-imposed. Denny’s personal motto could well have been, “Do it right the first time.” He graduated from Franklin Monroe High School in 1964. His favorite class in high school was geometry. The teacher he enjoyed learning from the most was Mrs. Mabel Albright who taught biology and math. He was in the high school choir, band, Hi-Y, Geometria, class plays, and cross country. Denny took one year of classes at ITT Technical Institute because his dad insisted. He quit to pursue his love for farming.

      Denny was sociable and approachable. Because he was always so straightforward in how he approached relationships, friends and family knew that what they saw was always what they got. He enjoyed spending time with friends and family, whether it was playing Pedro, Euchre or performing with “The Village People”. Those close to Denny came to expect his high standards of performance. While growing up, some of his best friends were Don Lucas, Gene Lucas, Gary Unger and Ron Besecker. Later in life, he became friends with Dean Thompson, Vic Besecker, Dewaine “Pepsi” Minnich and Gary Hill.

      Denny was ever watchful of his girls. He worried about them and was deeply concerned for their development as they grew up. He maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. Denny would give his stamp of approval to their requests, as long as he could see how they might benefit. He also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that his girls were properly raised. Denny was blessed with four daughters, Caleena, Claudette, Misty and Danyelle. He was also blessed with 15 grandchildren: Zach, Bradey, Caleb, Bryanna, Austin, Parker, Nychelle, Brydon, Maya, Ky, Reese, Rohan, Braxtyn, Crew and Rhyan. Denny married Jean Cool in 2008 and was blessed with 3 Step Children-Troy, Craig and Ben, and 8 Step Grandchildren-Lindsey, Krysten, Madison, Dane, Rachel, Annie, Tera and Cole.

      Being a hard worker who praised efficiency, Denny was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. He was able to analyze situations and problems, keeping everything and everyone on track. Denny was a person who could quickly make decisions based on the information available. He worked cooperatively with others, and expected the same in return. In both his personal and professional environments, Denny upheld his standards. His primary occupation was farming & Pioneer Seed salesman. Denny was a team player who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done.”

      Denny was in the National Guard. His sense of duty helped lead him into the military where his understanding of rank, his willingness to abide by rules and regulations and his desire to follow orders was admired by his fellow service men and women. Denny's National Guard Unit was called to help stop the riots at Wilberforce University in 1970.

      Denny approached his leisure time in the same manner that he approached his life. A person who had great respect and love for nature. He enjoyed farming, fishing, hunting and spending time in the woods. He appreciated the hours he was able to devote to the outdoors. He often referred to the land he farmed, fished or hunted as "God's Country" . His favorite pursuits were fishing, (winning the admired fish trophy the most of anyone that participated), hunting and spending time in the woods. Denny loved to be able to share his love for nature with his girls and grandchildren.

      Playing by the rules was a natural thing for Denny to do in life and that carried over to his enjoyment of sports. In high school, Denny played recreational basketball and cross country. Denny coached girls softball for his daughters. He also was something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite team the Pittsburgh Steelers.

      Being a hard worker, he put his extra energy and time with a variety of groups and organizations. He was a vocal leader who enjoyed being a part of things. His desire to uphold traditions and his ability to take charge of any type of project made him a tremendous asset. In high school, Denny was a member of Geometria, Hi-Y, band and class play. Throughout his later years, Denny was an active member of the Darke County Soil & Water.

      A civic-minded person, Denny was a member of several community groups, including serving on committees for the Franklin Township Zoning Committee and Darke County Soil and Water Conservation Board. Politically, Denny was Republican through and through. He also was a member of the NRA.

      Faith was important to Denny. He held high moral standards and was worried about how things had changed with morals, focus of importance/dedications in peoples' lives and the meaning of an unwritten expectation of a "handshake". For that reason he held deep spiritual beliefs that he was willing to share. Denny completed catechism in 1960 and joined Trinity Lutheran Church.

      As someone who placed a high value on showing gratitude, Denny could graciously accept a “thank you” extended to him by those he helped. However, individual recognition wasn’t a motivating force for Denny; rather, when he saw that there was a need to get something done, he was more than willing to give his time and energy in order to see it accomplished. Some of his most prestigious awards included 35 years Pioneer Seed Service.

      When it came time to travel or take a vacation, Denny's favorite vacations included his annual fishing trip to Canada and hunting trip to Pennsylvania.

      Denny was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. Two of Denny’s favorite pets were Happy, a Husky/Alaskan Malamute dog, and Noel, a Shi-Poo.

      When Denny's retirement finally arrived....well, farmers never retire. He worked his last day of fall harvest in November of 2018 for 24 hours to get all of the crops in despite the pain he was experiencing.

      Denny passed away on January 25, 2019 at Home. Denny fought a brave battle against cancer. He is survived by his wife Jeannie, his four daughters Caleena, Claudette, Misty and Danyelle and families; a sister Becky. Services were held at Pitsburg Trinity Lutheran Church. Denny was laid to rest in Mote Cemetery outside of Pitsburg, Ohio.

      All who knew him would agree that Denny was a pillar of the community. He lived his life with his feet firmly on the ground. He had a strong work ethic, was pragmatic in his thoughts and acts, and constantly sought the means for self-improvement. He was willing to share his ideas and knowledge for the benefit of others, so that they could accomplish more in their lives. Dennis Lee Cool did his best to ensure that his family, friends, loved ones, and everyone whose life he touched was given the chance to become a better person.

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Denny Lee Cool, 72 of Arcanum, Ohio passed away on Friday January 25, 2019 at 8:55 PM at his residence. He was born June 13, 1946 in Piqua, Ohio the son of the late Byron & Margaret (Mutzner) Cool.

Denny served in the National Guard from 1964 until 1970; he was a farmer and a seed salesman for Pioneer Seed Company. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Pitsburg, Ohio; he served on the Franklin Township Zoning Board and was a past member of the Darke Soil & Water Conservation District Board; he loved fishing farming, and spending time in the woods or farm fields.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife: Jean (Blumenstock) Cool of Arcanum whom he married December 8, 2007; his daughters & sons in law: Caleena & Steve Hesler of Bradford, Claudette & Danny Diceanu of Bradford, Misty & Randy Flory of Bradford, & Danyelle Cool of Arcanum; his step sons & spouses: Troy & Kim Blumenstock of Corydon, Indiana, Ben & Angie Blumenstock of Greenville, & Craig Blumenstock & fiancé Wendy of Union City, Indiana; grandchildren: Zachary, Bryanna, Brydon, Maya, & Crew Diceanu, Bradey & Parker Hesler, Caleb, Austin, Reese & Rohan Flory, Nychelle, Ky, Braxtyn, & Rhyan Cool; step grandchildren: Lindsey, Krysten, Madison, Dane, Rachel, Annie, Tera, & Cole; 8 great grandchildren; sister & brother in law: Becky & Jerry McMullen; his farm companion: Noel.

Services will be held on Thursday January 31, 2019 at 10:30 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church 8520 Oakes Road, Pitsburg, Ohio with Pastor Mel Musser officiating. Burial will follow in Mote Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Wednesday January 30, 2019 at Zechar Bailey Funeral Home, Greenville, Ohio. Memorial contributions may be made to State of the Heart Care or Franklin Monroe FFA.