Arie Koolmees, Jr

Arie Koolmees, Jr.

MOUNTAIN GREEN - Surrounded by family in the peace of his home, Arie Koolmees, 61, passed in his sleep in Mountain Green, Utah on Friday, November 13, 2009. He battled with pancreatic cancer for the last seven months.

The youngest of four siblings, he was born to Arie and Phyllis Koolmees on September 25, 1948 in Long Beach, CA. He grew up in Bellflower, CA and met the love of his life, Cara Koolmees, while studying at Cerritos Junior College. They wed on May 13, 1972 in Downey, CA.

He graduated in 1971 from Fullerton State with a degree in mechanical engineering. He started his career at Kaiser Steel and moved on to TRW, and retired as a Systems Engineer from Northrop Grumman following more than 23 years of service. He was a true engineer, fixing anything and everything around the house.

A lover of the outdoors, he was often found zooming by people on his favorite ski run and driving his four-wheeler with his dog Cooper. He was an avid boater, fisherman, and water skier, with frequent family camping trips to Flaming Gorge, UT.

He most loved spending time with his wife and children. He was an extremely proud husband and father. He was an active father---served as his son''s little league coach and taught his daughter and son to water and snow ski.

He leaves behind his wife, Cara; son, Kael, and his wife, Nicki from Herndon, VA; and daughter, Amber from San Diego, CA. His siblings include his: brother, Dick, and wife, Pat Luce; brother, Bob, and wife, Carol Luce; and sister, Katherine Condon. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arie and Phyllis Koolmees.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, November 20 at 1 p.m. at Community United Methodist Church, 163 West 4800 South in Washington Terrace, Utah.

Funeral Directors, Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.

Send condolences to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com