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John Arthur DeGarmo

Birth	:	8 Dec 1928 Early, Sac County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	13 Nov 2021 Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Sacred Heart Cemetery, Early, Sac County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.4650002, -95.1446991
Plot	:	Section 2, Row 17B, Lot 6, Plot 7
Description	:	John Arthur DeGarmo was born in Early, Iowa, on December 8, 1928 to parents Guy and Edna Stocks DeGarmo, in a home that was two houses down from where he would ultimately raise his own family. He left this world on November 13, 2021, after seemingly tying up all the last loose ends he could muster for Margaret and their four girls - Jann, Pegi, Sue and Jil. John was a high school graduate of Crestland High School in Early, and Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. John married Margaret Anne Higgins on September 30,1950 and together they went... Read More	John Arthur DeGarmo was born in Early, Iowa, on December 8, 1928 to parents Guy and Edna Stocks DeGarmo, in a home that was two houses down from where he would ultimately raise his own family. He left this world on November 13, 2021, after seemingly tying up all the last loose ends he could muster for Margaret and their four girls - Jann, Pegi, Sue and Jil. John was a high school graduate of Crestland High School in Early, and Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. John married Margaret Anne Higgins on September 30,1950 and together they went on to build a beautiful life. John was involved since the beginning of Payless Cashways Lumber, which was a labor of love that would ultimately pay off in ways John had humbly hoped for - affording him what was truly important in his life - time to spend with his family. In the almost 93 years John was with us, he had a profound beneficial impact on society. He was always service- whether it was to a neighbor, during his time as a fireman for Early, his Country by way of the United States Army during the Korean War, or to St. Mary's SOS and Mercy Hospital. He was generous- with his time, with his love, with his homes. He was handy- whether he was installing the docks of the eastside of Storm Lake, building a lemonade stand for his grandkids, his packing skills could put any major shipping service out of business, and if it was broken then Bompa could fix it- he himself was the solid foundation that built, sustained, and protected his most cherished, his family. He always had the coolest new cars and was the safest driver- he taught all daughters and grandkids how to drive manual on his jeep, automatic, and boat safety. His words matched his actions, but when it came to motor fun it was a "monkey see not monkey do"- his days of pulling his daughters by rope and toboggan in the snow followed him to the lake because no one could pull an innertube as wild as him. John could often be found dragging his grandkids and their pals around Storm Lake behind the boat. Anyone who was ever pulled by John knows that when he turned from the Captain's seat and shouted "hang on!", that you had better hang on with every free limb you had because he wasn't slowing down. His chronological age did not match his technological, he always had the newest pieces of technology and would often be the one teaching his millennial grandkids how to use theirs. He was an honorary cheerleader for the Waukee Warriors and St. Mary's Panthers and was one of the Iowa Hawkeyes most loyal fans. John was a globetrotter- he delighted in cross country road trips with his daughters in their younger years, traveled across the world with them as adults to celebrate their career accomplishments, traveled to countless cities across many states for tournament sports games to support his grandkids, and some of his favorite trips were family trips to Disney World- at age 72 he sat front row on Aerosmith's Rockin Rollercoaster and fearlessly laughed the entire ride. He instilled that same fearlessness for life in his family. He operated by the mentality "use it, or lose it", he loved being active- whether it was yard work, yoga, washing the lake house windows for what seemed like the millionth time, walks with Nana, or golf. John absolutely loved golf, played daily with the same foursome of Don, Tom and Ernie until his final day, and he can credit golf to saving his life- two of his golfing buddies saved the day on the course a couple months back. He was Mr. Christmas- whether it was with Bing Crosby blasting while confecting his famous Lincoln logs, putting together a seemingly impossible puzzle with Nana, singing Christmas carols, Midnight Mass, or having "Santa" walk in the front door and surprise us all on Christmas Day. John was dashingly handsome- he was the homecoming king at his high school and always had a headful of gorgeous hair. To know John was to love him, and he loved no one more than his dearest Mag. Everything John did in his life had Margaret at the heart of it. When Prince William married Kate, a text was sent to John- "Wow! Look at the royal wedding dress! It looks just like Nana's!", and the reply was, "your Grandmother's was prettier." For 71 years, that's the way he looked at her- she was his queen. John never really slowed down, but he did know how to relax with a bowl of cherry nut ice cream and a good conversation. Often a man of few but carefully chosen words, when John spoke it was because what he had to say mattered. He was a wonderful listener, and his advice was sound. John's life was not always easy, he lost many people along his journey whom he loved very deeply, but he always kept his head high and his faith strong. A devout Catholic, John never questioned God. He simply picked up and kept going, always trusting His plan. If you know Margaret and John's daughters, you know them to be unwavering, steadfast, independently fierce forces of nature. John successfully ensured that his girls would always know how to "hang on." His tenacity lives on in them. Thank you for all the peanut brittle, popcorn balls, enveloping hugs, fireflies and bonfires, homemade ice cream, idyllic summers at the lake, never saying no to the huge Mickey Mouse balloons, sunset Jeep rides where we were all illegally packed in like sardines, modeling strength and compassion, showing up for us at all costs, and for teaching us how to hang on - we love you, and we will. His coffee was strong, his life was full, and our hearts are heavy. In life's Carousel of Progress, this is always a moment we wish would never come. John would want us to hold close that family is for always, be thankful for all of the blessings and memories we have shared, and to remember that "there's a great big, beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of every day." Though the world feels smaller today, we are certain he is so happy to be reunited with his parents, sisters Ruby Stone, Jean Engler, Frances "Tat" Hill, and Judy DeGarmo, and his brother Melvin "Bub". His brother Bub's plane he was piloting went down in WWII, was never found, and John wondered about Bub his entire life- he doesn't have to wonder anymore. John is survived by his wife of 71 years, Margaret. Daughters Jann (Bob) Rohde, Pegi (Tim) Cavanaugh, Sue (Scott) Franklin, and Jil DeGarmo (Len Parker). Grandchildren Travis (Natalie) and Taylor Rohde, Meghan Cavanaugh Kalvig (Garrett), Bailey Cavanaugh, Lissa (Richard Casey III), Michael, and Nick Franklin. Great-grandchildren Callum Rohde, Emerson Cavanaugh, and Hendrix, Huxley, Hunter, and Ozzie Kalvig.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is John Arthur DeGarmo's memorial?
John Arthur DeGarmo's memorial is located at: Sacred Heart Cemetery, Early, Sac County, USA.
When did John Arthur DeGarmo death?
John Arthur DeGarmo death on 13 Nov 2021 in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the John Arthur DeGarmo's memorial?
Latitude: 42.4650002
Longitude: -95.1446991

Family Members:

Parent

Guy P DeGarmo

(1887 - 1955)

Edna Lucille Stocks DeGarmo

(1896 - 1950)

Siblings

Frances Lucille “Tat” DeGarmo Hill

(1914 - 1969)

Ruby Fae DeGarmo Stone

(1919 - 1996)

Jean Marie De Garmo Engler

(1923 - 2011)

Judith Ann “Judy” DeGarmo

(1940 - 1974)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Sacred Heart Cemetery
Early, Sac County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4650002, -95.1446991

2. Early Union Cemetery
Early, Sac County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4578018, -95.1425018

3. Protestant Union Cemetery
Early, Sac County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4294014, -95.1483002

4. Sac County Farm Cemetery
Early, Sac County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4295560, -95.1175190

5. Nemaha Cemetery
Nemaha, Sac County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5102997, -95.0905991

6. Chase Cemetery
Sac County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5036011, -95.2288971

7. Emmanuel Cemetery
Cook Township, Sac County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3993988, -95.2063980

8. German Methodist Cemetery
Schaller, Sac County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5045000, -95.2481000

9. Cook Center Cemetery
Schaller, Sac County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4432983, -95.2649994

10. Immanuel Reformed Cemetery
Schaller, Sac County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5396996, -95.2294006

11. Salem Reform Cemetery
Sac County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3555984, -95.1866989

12. Oakland Cemetery
Sac City, Sac County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4272100, -94.9910760

13. Richland Cemetery
Sac County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3544006, -95.2238998

14. Saint Josephs Catholic Church Cemetery
Schaller, Sac County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5035000, -95.3095000

15. Schaller Cemetery
Schaller, Sac County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5046000, -95.3117600

16. Linton Cemetery
Sac County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3330994, -95.1474991

17. Clinton Township Cemetery
Sac County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3330600, -95.1475000

18. Donna Lynn Salis-Christensen Burial Plot
Newell, Buena Vista County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5882134, -95.0544960

19. Cory Grove Cemetery
Sac City, Sac County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3932991, -94.9788971

20. Maple Valley Township Cemetery
Alta, Buena Vista County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5752600, -95.3199980

21. Newell Catholic Prairie Cemetery
Newell, Buena Vista County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6144000, -95.0328000

22. Storm Lake Cemetery
Storm Lake, Buena Vista County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6352800, -95.1744400

23. Cedar Cemetery
Sac City, Sac County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4430000, -94.9110000

24. Ferguson Cemetery
Lake View, Sac County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3142014, -95.0132980