Wayne Cook's Obituary
Wayne Edward Cook, son of Freddie Leonard and Bernice Fairy Crismon Cook, was born August 11, 1922, near Laquey, in Laclede County, Missouri. He departed this life Tuesday, April 18, 2006, in St. John’s Hospital, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-three years, eight months, and seven days. In April of 1945, he was united in marriage to Ruth Elizabeth Durr, and to this union one son and one daughter were born. His parents, a brother, Kenneth Cook, and a sister, Evelyn Pearcy, preceded him in death. Wayne is survived by a son, Chris Cook, and his wife, Phebe, of Laquey, Missouri; a daughter, Janet Painter, and her husband, Tom, of Claremore, Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Mindy Todd, Christy Dieman, and Greg Painter; four great-grandchildren, Abigail, Owen, Grady, and Graham; a brother, Paul Cook, and his wife, Colleen, of Joplin, Missouri; a sister, Helen Sharp, of Paris, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. He was born and raised on the family farm, near Laquey, and graduated from Waynesville High School. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps along with his brother-in-law, Lee Durr, and served his country faithfully from June 17, 1942 until June 18, 1946. During World War II, he served with the 2nd Marine Division and was part of the campaigns in Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, and Tinian. After being honorably discharged from the Marines, Wayne returned home to the farm where in addition to cattle farming, he worked for the Gulf Oil Company for about fifteen years. He then worked as an equipment operator for the Missouri Conservation Department until retiring. Wayne was a member of the Church of Christ and attended the Hayes Street Church of Christ for many years. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing and caring for his cattle. He was a patriotic person who was proud to have been a Marine and to have served his country. His family was very important to him and he especially enjoyed his grandchildren. Wayne was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and will treasure the memories he made for his family and friends. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, April 21, 2006, in the Holman-Howe Chapel, Lebanon. Burial will be in the Macedonia Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday evening from 7 - 8:30 p.m. under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, Missouri. Memorials to the American Diabetes Association may be made through the funeral home.
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