CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — Russell “Russ” Kool, the founder of laundry and drycleaning equipment distributor RJ Kool Co., died March 31 after a courageous journey with Parkinson’s disease.

Born Jan. 1, 1938, to John and Ethel Tharp Kool Kensler in Ottumwa, Iowa, he attended Cedar Consolidated School. After a brief time at Iowa State University, he began his professional career at John Deere in Ottumwa.

His entrepreneurial spirit led him to nearby Oskaloosa, where he built his first coin-operated laundry. It would mark the beginning of a lifetime devoted to building businesses and serving his community.

Kool and his wife, Marty (Martha) Johnston Kool, eventually moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where they founded the RJ Kool Company. The dealership sold and leased commercial laundry and drycleaning equipment and grew steadily under his leadership.

With the construction of a new office and warehouse, and expansion into Kansas City and Nebraska, RJ Kool became one of the larger businesses of its kind in the U.S.

Throughout his life, Kool remained deeply engaged in the Cedar Rapids business community. Aside from RJ Kool, he was involved in several ventures, including Partners Leasing, CR Refuel Station, Citywide Cleaners and Point Builders.

Kool enjoyed snow skiing with the Crater Makers, lively business conversations with friends at the Exchange Club, and friendly competition on the racquetball court. He was an avid traveler and explored many parts of the world.

Preceding Kool in death were his parents, and sisters Marcia Carlson and Marilyn Herny. Kool’s first wife, Marty, died from cancer in April 2000. His second wife, Nancy Gray Kool, also died from cancer in April 2008.

Surviving Kool are his son, Matt Kool of Austin, Texas; his daughter, Carrie Kool Worthington of Cedar Falls, Iowa; and four grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life gathering at the Diamond Event Center, WesternHome Communities, in Cedar Falls is scheduled for 1 p.m. on April 17.

In lieu of flowers or plants, the family asks that memorial donations be made to one of the following:

• Cedar Bend Humane Society, Cedar Falls — https://www.cedarbendhumane.org/donation
• WesternHome Communities, Cedar Falls — https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?id=1&name=E158512
• Cedar Valley Hospice, Waterloo, Iowa — https://www.cvhospice.org/donate/#donatenow