Kenneth Lee Arrowsmith

Kenneth Lee Arrowsmith, age 88, of Sarasota, FL passed away on Saturday, June 4, 2022. Lee was born October 5, 1933 in Bayard, IA. Left to celebrate his life are his wife of 65 years, Ramona; a daughter: Michelle Arrowsmith Labadie (Ron) of Sarasota, FL; a son: Douglas Lee (Lori) of Ankeny, IA and two granddaughters: Alyssa Kathleen and Olivia Diane; two brothers: Donald (Mary) Arrowsmith of Orient, IA; a sister Gloria Burns of Sacramento, CA.

Lee was preceeded in death by his parents Charles & Addie Arrowsmith; his parents in law Luther & Mabel Egemo; eight brothers: Charles (Mary), Frank, Howard (Edna), Harold (Clara), Gerald (Pat), Norman, Joe, John; sisters: Opal (Edward) Visner, Irene Fick, Audrey (Ross) Caniglia, brother in law: Bob Burns; sister in law: Lois Mae Kruse (Bud).

Lee grew up on a farm in Iowa and was very accomplished not only in education but athletics as well. He was the captain of his high school football team in Coon Rapids, IA and recieved All Coon Valley Conference Honors. He was also mentioned in the State Honor Roll. He went on to play football for Central College, Pella, IA on a scholarship. He recieved his B.A. degree in Physial Education, Biology and Social Studies.

His career began in education as a 7th & 8th grade teacher/coach for 2 years in Bayard, IA. He went on to get his Master’s Degree in 1967 from University of Missouri and his Superintendent’s Certificate from University of Northern IA in 1977. After teaching, he was a high school principal in Grand Junction, IA at East Green; high school principal at South Winneshiek in Calmar, IA; Superintendent of Schools at New London, IA where he retired in 1992. He and his wife Ramona moved to Sarasota, FL in 1993.

Lee served in the United States Army Infantry and was a member of the Honor Guard.

He was instrumental in the planning phase of New Life Lutheran Church on Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL and spent many of his retired Fridays and more at the church grounds.

Among his interests were history and researching his family tree; golf, football (Iowa Hawkeyes, ISU Cyclones, Colts, Denver Broncos, Tampa Bay Bucs); Hunting Morel mushrooms in the timbers of Iowa where he enjoyed hiking, gardening, lawn work, building, travel, exercising and walking at least 3 miles a day and he really enjoyed (and rarely missed) his children and grandchildren’s events as they were growing up.

He was known to have said that after leaving high school, his greatest accomplishment was teaching, coaching and working with Iowa students for 34 years. His family fondly remembers his advice and many sayings. One of the most favorite and memorable saying was: “It’s nice to be important, but it’s important to be nice.” K. Lee Arrowsmith

A visitation for Kenneth will be held Saturday, June 11, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at New Life Lutheran Church, 8010 Fruitville Rd, Sarasota, FL 34240. A funeral service will follow at 12:00 PM.

A committal service and interment will occur Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 1:00 PM at Palms Memorial Park, 170 Honore Ave, Sarasota, FL 34232. A reception will follow interment at Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park, 170 Honore Ave, Sarasota, FL 34232.

The family requests that any memorial gifts be given to: New Life Lutheran Church, 8010 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL. 34240. http://www.newlifesarasota.org

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmsmemorial.com for the Arrowsmith family.