About my Dad. I like to say it all started in Council Bluffs, Iowa January 19, 1931 when Ronald William Cooney was born to devoted, caring, hard working parents, Cecil and Vera Cooney. Dad was one of four siblings, having an older sister and brother, Myrtle and Lloyd, and a younger brother Cecil, Jr.
From a very early age dad and his younger brother would become Skippy and Peppy, then as they got older, shortened simply to Skip and Pep. They shared an upstairs bedroom, where in bed at night they’d listen to Inner Sanctum and The Golden Arm on the radio. Uncle Pep shared how after the show was over, the room would be very dark and he’d be almost asleep, when his big brother would grab his shoulder and start shaking it, and in a threatening, dramatic voice say “Who has my golden arm? You’ve got it!” scaring the wits out of him, my uncle said.
On occasion the brothers would sneak out of their bedroom window on sheets tied together, only to be returned home by a friendly police officer, much to the surprise of their older sister who had been babysitting. Then there were times Dad said he would go joyriding in grandpa’s car, times when he crashed the car, times he’d take the car without permission and the car broke down or got a flat tire. Ending with Dad always having
to call his father to come fix the situation. Then as Dad said, to accept the punishment he knew he deserved.
Dad had fond memories of his father singing to him. And liked to sing himself. When my parents - my Mother Lenora and Dad were young they often performed and sang together at different venues in Council Bluffs and Omaha, and continued to do so even after I was born. Just as dad had fond memories of his dad singing, I have fond memories of my dad singing - tunes like Ka-Ka Katie Beautiful Katie, Mack the Knife, and the old gospel song Meshach, Shadrach and Abendego. I think dad’s secret longing, or maybe not so secret was to be a performer, to entertain. Something he enjoyed throughout his life - writing, and acting out little skits; telling stories, and singing. Two years ago while I was visiting Dad & Susie, Dad made a sheriff’s star out of colored construction paper and attached it to the bright yellow tee shirt he was wearing - part of his costume he said, telling us he was going to sing a song after dinner and wanted me to record it. Like a director, he pointed his finger at me and yelled ‘now’. Then as if on que began to sing Don’t Fence Me In, acting out the lyrics. It was quite the show watching my 93 year old father so vibrant and entertaining, still singing right on key!
After Dad’s passing I posted the video on YouTube. Dad would be amazed, and thrilled to know his rendition of Don’t Fence Me In has garnered close to 700 hits! I know I am!
Being a Boy Scout, and remaining active with scouts, even into early adulthood left a big impact on dad, one that he would reference throughout his life, and said contributed in part to his own attitude : to be prepared, to persevere; determination, organization, problem solving, leadership, faith. Attributes that dad practiced and applied to his daily living. You could say Dad came from a scouting family.
His dad was a Scoutmaster, and both
of his brothers were Eagle Scouts, as was Dad. Only 4% of scouts become Eagle Scouts, most at 17 years old. Dad liked to point out, he was just 15 -
quite an achievement at an early age.
Dad once told me he loved everything about scouting, especially his summers at Camp Wakonda and being a counselor, the pride he found in teaching younger boys and helping them to reach their goals. I’m very proud, and honored to have my Dad’s sash with its 32 badges, 2 silver arrows, and Eagle Scout medal - a Christmas gift from dad many years ago, framed and hanging on my family room wall.
In 1955 we left Council Bluffs for Southern California where Dad attended Compton College. Dad liked Southern California, especially the beaches and was a big fan of the Dodgers, after they moved to LA in 1957. Dad loved baseball then.
I remember he’d often listen to the games on the radio - at home or in the car. And on occasion we’d go to Dodger games at the newly built Chavez Ravine stadium.
Dad took a job with Airco (Air Reduction Company) where he started as a loader, was quickly promoted to sales and then named Regional Sales Manager.
By 1965 his career took a different path and Dad relocated to St. Louis where he held an executive position at a direct marketing company there and would eventually start his own firm, Marketing Associates of America.
My younger brother Walt and I would visit Dad for 2 weeks during the summer. In the summer of 1967 my girlfriend, Susan travelled with us to visit Dad. It was during that visit my father truly made his mark in folklore history.
It happened like this. Dad made reservations for us at an upscale restaurant in downtown St. Louis. The kind of place where Dad wore a suit, my brother a sports coat and tie, and Susan and I in stylish dresses of that era. We had finished our meal and dessert was being served - Cherries Jubilee! Before we took our first bite Dad said, wait, listen to me - before we have dessert I’m going to perform a trick. I’m going to pull this tablecloth away, but leave everything staying on the table just as it is. That got our attention. I looked at my Dad wondering if he was serious.
Then he stood up, took the edges of the tablecloth in each hand, gave a good strong pull and yanked that tablecloth right off the table! If you’re thinking everything remained on the table as it was, you’d be wrong. Cherries Jubilee flung in the air, glasses crashed to the floor , and utensils and dinnerware went everywhere. Water splattered all over and dessert now decorated our clothes. People at nearby tables gawked and stared at us. Walt, Susan and i sat there speechless; dumbfounded. Dad looked at us, started laughing and said, well, I guess that didn’t turn out the way I thought it would!
The waiter appeared saying to Dad,
I’ll have someone clean this up, sir. Dad thanked him then said, AND bring more Cherries Jubilee.
Susan and I are now 75 years old. We were 16 then.
Walt was 12. And still, after all these years it remains a favorite story my friend continues to tell, about the infamous Mr. Cooney and his Tablecloth Trick
In 1969 Dad’s life became more fulfilled and happy, more content when in June he married Susanne Lentin. Susie would become his life mate, and forever partner; his best friend.They would welcome their son Shea in 1971 and daughter Shannon in 1973. Dad delighted in talking about Shea and Shannon. In letters to Walt and me Dad would tell about Shea playing hockey, and Shannon being so cute and creative, her funny sayings about her dancing feet. And about Susie’s many talents, and how she loved to dance. And what a good dancer she was! How he and Susie played Poker or Mahjong every week with Susie’s parents, and her Aunt Rose and Uncle Ken. About the fun they had.
As it happens, years pass by, folks get older, and before you know it, it’s time for retirement. Twenty years ago Dad and Susie made the decision to leave Missouri and move to a retirement community in Florida - The Villages. It was a perfect fit for them. Dad delighted in everything about it; the weather, the many clubs and activities, great restaurants, the people, and especially the live entertainment. Dad joined a Pickle Ball League, played Bocce - even winning the Championship title two years in a row, and attended a weekly poker game. I always said The Villages should have hired Dad as their PR man, he was forever sending brochures to family & friends highlighting the ‘fabulous’ lifestyle of The Villages and encouraging them to visit and/or move there.
Dad was always a good writer; short stories, poetry and verse, a gift he inherited from his Mother who was also a good writer of poetry and verse. Dad, a member of Quill and Scroll, wrote for his high school newspaper, and when he graduated, The Omaha World Herald offered him a job in their editorial department - right out of high school!, but Dad turned it down, instead taking a job with the Union Pacific, working in their mail car. That didn’t stop him from writing though. Throughout Dad’s professional career he wrote hundreds of brochures, articles in catalogues, and sales magazines. In his later years he began writing what he called anecdotes, and short essays and
did more letter writing. My cousin Shauna recently told me she felt she has gotten to know Uncle Skip much better in the last few years through his letters and notes to her. Whether to Shauna, his grandson Gavin, nephew Nate, friends or me, Dad’s letters would usually include some anecdote and humor, and always words of encouragement.
Dad had many fine qualities - his exuberance for life, not holding grudges, his quest for constant learning. But I think one of his best qualities was how positive he was, how he always encouraged others to persevere and do their best, especially his children; that he believed anything was possible if you put your mind to it, and kept moving forward.
My dad was a loving dad, and a fun dad. He was quick witted and had a crazy sense of humor.
He was also a thoughtful dad who wrote these reflections on Thanksgiving Day 2025:
There is always something to be thankful for. You just have to look for it. It is always there . I am thankful for the blessings I have been given. I’m grateful for my family and friends. I am grateful for each day. I am thankful for my ears to hear, my eyes to see, for the gift of love and emotion. I am thankful how wondrous it is to have the sun, shade,moon, stars, trees, birds and bees, butterflies,crickets,bullfrogs,mice and ducks, white clouds, summer rain and winter snows, the sea and a sea breeze. And Starbucks, too.
In every day there are joys. There are sorrows, too. But as Annie sang, “The sun will come out tomorrow”.
Today and every day I am grateful that I have an attitude of gratitude… and I’m hopeful you do too.
Happy Thanksgiving Day, and every day.
In the spirit of thanksgiving, I say to my father now, I am thankful for you. I love you very much, Dad, and am so grateful to be your daughter - in this life, and through eternal life.
Rest in peace, dear Dad. May perpetual light shine
upon you +
Beautiful!
ReplyDelete