John Buddy (Bud) McCool of LeRoy, MN, formally of Clarion, Iowa and more recently from LeRoy, Minnesota, passed away on Monday, August 31, 2020 at the MercyOne North Iowa Hospice in Mason City, Iowa. He was 89 years, 6 months, and 24 days of age.
A memorial service for Bud McCool was held on Saturday, September 19, 2020 at 10:30 AM at the Bayard United Methodist Church, 500 3rd Street; Bayard, Iowa.
Bud was born on the family farm south of Bayard, Iowa on February 7, 1931 to John and Mildred (Foresman) McCool. He and his twin brother William “Bobbie” and their other siblings (Marjorie, Paul, and Janice) attended country schools near their home. Bud graduated from Bayard High School in 1949.
Bud joined the United States Marine Corps on February 19, 1952. Bud served in the Korean War until his honorable discharge on February 10, 1954. He served in the Korean War and received three service awards: National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, and United Nations Service Medal.
On June 7, 1953, Bud was united in marriage with Donna B. Shirbroun at the United Methodist Church in Coon Rapids, Iowa. Three children were born to this union. Bud started farming in Wall Lake Township in Wright County after returning from the military service. Bud retired from farming in Wright County, Iowa two years after wife Donna passed away on May 17, 1995. He moved to LeRoy, MN in 1997.
Bud was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in LeRoy, MN. He was also an active member with the LeRoy American Legion Auxiliary Unit 161 and volunteered at the LeRoy Foodshelf and other variety of community events in LeRoy. Bud enjoyed bicycling, playing freecell on the computer, loved to have the grandchildren and great-grandchildren visit and would spoil all of them. Bud was a soft-spoken man and will be remembered for his kind and gentle ways, sense of humor, and being with family and friends.
Bud was preceded in death by his parents, wife Donna McCool, a daughter Jody Annette, a sister Marjorie Linder of North Platte, Nebraska and twin brother Bobbie McCool of Bayard, Iowa. He is survived by two children: John McCool and wife Patti of Cottage Grove, MN and Pat Oswald and husband Randy of Hanlontown, Iowa; four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; his brother Paul McCool of Guthrie Center, Iowa, sister Janice McCool of Owasso, Oklahoma and Darlene McCool (sister-in-law to his twin brother).
Bud’s family requests that in lieu of flowers or memorials, that a monetary donation be made to the LeRoy Foodshelf in LeRoy, Iowa; or LeRoy American Legion Auxiliary Unit 161; or Bayard United Methodist Church; the Clarion First United Methodist Church in Clarion, Iowa; or the LeRoy First United Presbyterian Church in LeRoy; or First MercyOne Hospice House in Mason City; or the I.O.O.F Home and Community Therapy Center in Mason City, Iowa.
