Gail Bloom

A Life Remembered

Gail Allen VanArsdol Bloom

Born
May 28, 1951
Logan, Iowa

Died
November 5, 2005
Atlanta, Georgia

Memorial Services
United Methodist Church
Woodbine, Iowa
Friday, November 11, 2005 at 1:00 pm

Clergy
Rev. Shurmaine McAlpine

Musician
Mrs. Merril McElwain

Soloist
Bill Hutcheson
Selection
"In the Garden"

Special Music
Bruce & Debbie Bloom & Dawn Melcher
Selection
"Trading My Sorrows"

Final Resting Place
Woodbine Cemetery
Woodbine, Iowa

Gail Allen VanArsdol Bloom was born May 28, 1951 in Logan, Iowa to parents Wayne & Rosemary (Shadden) VanArsdol. Gail's father died when he was 2 years of age. Rosemary married Donald M. Bloom June 10, 1954. Don adopted Larry and Gail and raised them as his own sons.
A native of Woodbine, Bloom was a 1969 graduate of Woodbine High School. He attended the University of Iowa where he studied business administration. In 1973 he moved to Miami, Fla where he was employed by AT&T as an operator. He was later transferred to Atlanta, GA with Southern Bell, later Bell South. For 30 years he worked with the telecommunications conglomerate in a variety of divisions. He was instrumental in the formulation of corporate billing protocol between Bell South and AT&T.
In April of 2003 he was awarded the prestigious Bell South Presidential Award, recognizing his dedication and talent.
While Gail was intimately involved in his workplace, work did not define him. He was a gourmet entertaining his many friends and colleagues with his culinary expertise; called upon to cater a variety of occasions.
He was recognized by co-workers as the resident "genius" and the master of customer service. His humor was legendary as evidenced by his Halloween antics designed to provide a respite of laughter in a corporate setting.
As a child Gail was actively involved in his community. He was a lifeguard at Woodbine Municipal Swimming Pool, earning his Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certification. He was an organist with the United Methodist Church and was active in his school.
Gail died Saturday, Nov. 5, 2005 in Atlanta, GA at the age of 54 years, 5 months and 7 days.
Gail was preceded in death by his father Wayne VanArsdol and stepfather Donald Bloom. He is survived by his mother Rosemary Bloom of Douglas, GA; Larry Bloom of Woodbine, Bruce Bloom and his wife Debbie and family of Elkhorn, NE; Brian Bloom of Sterling, CO and Barry Bloom and his wife Laura and family of Douglas, GA. as well as three nieces, two nephews and a God Daughter Maegan Costanza of Atlanta.