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KAY ARNOLD
KAY ARNOLD
Ottumwa
Carolyn Kay Arnold (Cooper), 72, of 34 Kramer Dr., Paramus, N.J., formerly of Ottumwa, died
suddenly of cancer July 22, 2014, at the Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, N.J., after
being admitted four days earlier.
She was born May 26, 1942, in Ottumwa, Iowa, to D.B. and Dottie Arnold. She married William L. Cooper on Aug. 19, 1967, in Ottumwa. He preceded her in death on Nov. 20, 1987.
She graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1960, where she was active in drama club, thespians, speech club, The National Forensic League and A-Mixed chorus.
Kay went to the University of Iowa and received a bachelor's degree with a major in speech & dramatic arts and minor in music. During this period, she hosted "The Kay Arnold Show" on KTVO-TV in Ottumwa, performed at the University of Iowa, at Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa, and at The Little Theatre in Sullivan, Ill.
She moved to New York where she became involved in the theater with "As the World Turns" on CBS, "National Debutante's Ball" on WPIX-TV and "Roseanne" on ABC, with her nephew, Tom Arnold. Her film work included "Carpool," "Anatomy of a Vacation" and "The Day the Eiffel Tower Ran Away."
She continued her education in New York, receiving a master's degree in drama at New York University and studied at Wynee Handman, American Place Theatre in New York City. Her tours included a national tour as Mimsey in "Funny Girl" and a performer for the U.S. Defense Department in Vietnam for 36 shows. Her extended stage work list included playing Bette Davis.
Kay and her husband started "Laff-A-Bit-Films Inc." and produced short films for the world market. She then created "Ms. Fixer Upper" for distribution.
She was a member of the Dutch Treat Club, the Lambs Club, the Episcopal Actors' Guild and the Women's Club of Paramus.
Surviving are her brothers, Bob (Beverly) Arnold of Cedar Rapids and Jack (Ruth) Arnold of Ottumwa; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, who is buried in Calverton National Cemetery.
Her body has been cremated and a celebration of life and memorial will be held at a later in Ottumwa, where she will be buried near her parents in Ottumwa Cemetery, as per her request.
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