John Arrigo

1954 - 2025

John Arrigo, 70 of Clancy, died October 30th, after battling cancer for a year.

He was born on November 2, 1954 in Lincoln, NE.

John graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in Geology. He received his Master's degree in Hydrogeology at the University of Idaho. He started his career as the first groundwater hydrologist for the DEQ for the state of Montana. He retired as the enforcement division administrator for the DEQ in 2018, when his sons were 12. Then started John's second career as a stay at home parent who attended all the boys' sporting events, parent teacher conferences and was the family cook. He was also a gifted handyman and no job was out of reach of his talent. John's love for his wife and sons was something he lived and celebrated every day.

John's vibrant personality was larger than life. He was the leader of many adventures and was always eager to bring people along as he snow skied, waterskied, played pickleball, floated the Missouri, and made pottery, among many other hobbies. John was the ultimate dreamer. A day trip to a hot springs or a great restaurant hours away was not out of the realm of experiences John treated others to. He was a delightful human that people sought out to spend time with.

John will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He touched everyone he met.

John is survived by his wife, Rachel and twin sons Talus Arrigo and Rowen Arrigo, all of Clancy.

Other survivors include sisters Kathy Merritt of Florida, Patty Valinch of Washington, Marilyn (Charles) Schmidt of Lincoln, NE, Christine Scheer of Lincoln, NE, and Vicki (Mike) Valaika of Lincoln, NE, brothers Joe (Jeanine) of Colorado and Ron of Colorado, mother in law Kathy Clark (Lee Sterner) of Alaska, sisters-in-law Stephanie Itzen (Wade) of Iowa and Angela Sulzer (Stephen) of Washington. Other survivors are many nieces and nephews who simply adored John.

He is predeceased by his mother Victoria and his father Santo along with his brothers-in-law Jerry Merritt and John Valinch.

A private service is planned for next summer.

John desired memorials in his name to be sent to the Prickly Pair Land Trust.