Thomas "Tom" Charles Narak

Thomas “Tom” Charles Narak, age 74, of West Des Moines, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on December 18, 2023. Beloved by his family and friends, Tom was a loving husband, father and grandfather who lived a life of service to others, and was known throughout his life for his warm, giving nature, kindness and sense of humor.

Tom is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carol, their three children and their spouses Tom Jr. and Marie, Jill and Kenny, Susie and Colette, their six grandchildren, Destinee, PJ, Victoria, Owen, Charlie and Jack, and their great granddaughter Callie.

The son of Raymond and Marian Narak, Tom was born in Chicago, Illinois, on March 19, 1949. Tom’s lifelong love for dogs began during his childhood in Chicago with a standard poodle named Pierre, and Ricky, the family’s collie, who helped a young Tom deliver newspapers. Hunting dogs and family pets were a constant in Tom’s life as he and Carol raised their family, including Chopper the Chinese Shar-Pei and most recently German Shorthaired Pointer Jake, who was named for “Joliet” Jake Blues, from one of his favorite movies “The Blues Brothers.” The joy Tom expressed when talking about his dogs was infectious to anyone listening.

Education was deeply important to Tom. In 1970, he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in physical education from Morningside University in Sioux City, Iowa, where he and Carol met and fell in love. While working as a teacher and raising his family with Carol, Tom also earned a master’s in education from Northwest Missouri State University and an education specialist degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In 1989, Tom was awarded a doctorate in education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Over the course of his 41-year career as an educator and school administrator, Tom served as a science teacher at Westwood Community Schools in Sloan, Iowa; principal and athletic director at Exira High School in Exira, Iowa; principal and county superintendent at Schuyler Grade School in Schuyler, Colfax County, Nebraska; superintendent for Alta Community Schools in Alta, Iowa; superintendent for the Indianola School District in Indianola, Iowa; and superintendent of schools in West Des Moines, Iowa. He retired in 2011 but continued supporting efforts to improve public education in Iowa.

One of the achievements Tom was most proud of during his career was assisting in the effort to pass SAVE (Secure an Advanced Vision for Education) funding in Iowa in 2008. That funding has provided students across the state with access to quality school buildings that have helped prepare them for 21st-century careers.

As an advocate for children and education, Tom made a positive impact on the lives of thousands of students, their families and their communities. Tom continued his life of service through his work with Rotary International and helped improve the lives of countless others around the world.

With the exception of his time in Alta where he was involved in Kiwanis Club, Tom was an active member of Rotary International since 1979. As Rotary District 6000 Governor from 2018 to 2019, his priorities were the prevention of child abuse, eradication of polio, and improving literacy rates for children. Tom and his family hosted numerous exchange students through Rotary at their West Des Moines home.

In 2007, Tom and Carol began working on various Rotary projects in Xicotepec, Mexico. They quickly fell in love with the area and the people. It was not unusual for Tom to go above and beyond the scope of a project during his trips to Mexico.

In addition to Tom’s work with Rotary, he served on the boards of Morningside University, the United Way of Central Iowa and the Iowa High School Speech Association. He also served as Government Relations Director for the School Administrators of Iowa. In 2010, Tom was inducted into the Iowa High School Speech Association Hall of Fame for his commitment and dedication to the speech and theater students of Iowa.

Tom loved his family, children and dogs. His service to others provided him with joy. Stories about fishing trips comfort his family through laughter. He was an avid pheasant hunter who shared those adventures with family and friends. Tom was an early adopter of electronic gadgets and enjoyed watching television and cooking meat with his smoker. Tom and Carol shared many adventures traveling the country and the world. As a Chicagoan living in Iowa, he remained a Bears, Bulls and Cubs fan throughout his life. Tom knew no strangers. His positive presence filled any space he entered. He will be deeply missed.

The family is grateful to the doctors, aides and nurses at Huntsville Hospital in Alabama who provided care for Tom at the end of his life. The family would also like to acknowledge in-laws John and Marsha Dahl and dear friends Michael and Barbara Owsianiak and Greg Ender for the love and friendship they shared with Tom during his life.

In remembrance of Tom, charitable donations may be made in any amount to The Rotary Foundation, the Xicotepec Project, or to a charity of your choice that is focused on improving the lives of children. Bicycles in need of repair can also be donated to the Rotary Club of West Des Moines. The bikes are repaired and donated to school students in the West Des Moines area.

A celebration of life will be held in West Des Moines at West Des Moines Valley High School’s Staplin Performing Arts Center on January 6, 2024. Visitation from 9:00 to 11:30 am followed by a celebration. Burial will be at Resthaven Cemetery at a later date.