Jack Arnold dies in 1975 in The Wonder Years’ epilogue. The finale places his death near the end of Kevin’s freshman year of college, giving the family story a particularly emotional conclusion.
Jack is Kevin Arnold’s father, portrayed by Dan Lauria as a stern, hardworking, and often emotionally reserved parent. He is a Korean War veteran who grew up during the Great Depression and later built a career in management at the Norcom company. His demanding personality often creates tension, but the series also shows his loyalty and love for his family.
The show’s regular story ends before Jack’s death, so the information appears in the narrator’s rapid epilogue rather than in a dedicated funeral storyline. The date is 1975, two years after the period covered by the final episode’s main events. That time jump helps explain why the finale feels like a life summary rather than a conventional ending.
Viewers sometimes place Jack’s death in 1974 because the finale covers several milestones in quick succession. The canonical character summary specifies 1975 and connects it to Kevin’s freshman year of college, making the year distinct from the show’s final regular setting.