Jack McArtor

Memorial

Jack Raymond McArtor ,87, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was unexpectedly called to Heaven on August 28, 2021. He was born June 27, 1934, to John and Gertrude McArtor.  A visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 2, 2021, at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.  A celebration of Jack’s well-lived life will be at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 3, 2021, at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories.  Burial will follow at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, with military honors. The family request you wear a mask for the visitation and service.

A livestream of the funeral service may be accessed on the funeral home website under the obituary for Jack Raymond McArtor, under the video tab starting at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 2, 2021.

Jack is preceded in death by his beautiful wife of 65 years, Kathy “Kay” McArtor, who he loved and adored since childhood. 

He is survived by his two adoring children, Jaclin R. Hernandez and Mitchell E. McArtor, special daughter in law, Lora Holland; his granddaughters, Tori Coffman “The Pixie” and husband, Jared Coffman; Laci Hernandez “The Poot” and husband, Adam Carlson. Jack was also blessed with great-grandchildren, Nash and McKay Coffman, with a third on the way. 

Never afraid of hard work, Jack started his working life early, serving 3 years as a quartermaster in the US Navy. Upon his return, he worked as a printer at the Cedar Rapids Gazette for more than 40 years. He also owned and cooked at Chatty Kathy’s restaurant for 6 years. 

Jack spent his active and fulfilled life watching all sporting events, filling his bird feeders, playing cribbage, being Kathy’s sous chef in the kitchen, and spending time at his cabin simply appreciating life. Jack also enjoyed planting and tending to his garden so he would have fresh produce to gift to his family, friends, and neighbors. 

Jack made a friend of everyone he met and was referred to, even by strangers, as “Grandpa Jack” because of his favorite baseball cap that he wore every day. He joked with everyone, “If I don’t pick on ya, I don’t like ya”. Jack had a kind, unassuming and generous spirit that he shared with the world. 

In lieu of flowers, we know Jack would appreciate random acts of kindness paid forward from us all. Share your acts with the family at JackMcArtorsLegacy@gmail.com.