Richard P. Cook
July 9, 1959 ~ October 7, 2002
Resided in:
Fletcher, NC
Fletcher ~ Richard Parker Cook, 43, of 9 Southbrook Drive, died Monday, October 7, 2002 in an Asheville hospital.
He was the devoted husband of Tammy Tackett Cook and the beloved father of Richard Andrew (Drew) and Lauren Katherine Cook.
A native of Cookeville, TN, Mr. Cook was the son of Don Richard Cook of Cookeville, TN and Sally Swezey Cook of Charlotte, NC.
Mr. Cook was a practice administrator with Pathology Medical Laboratory. He was an active member of Arden Presbyerian Church.
In addition to his wife, children and parents, survivors include four sisters, Cathy Edington and Karen Holmes, both of Knoxville, TN, Melissa Oakley of Augusta, GA and Amy Mitchell of Nashville, TN and a brother, Donald Cook of Charlotte.
A funeral service will be conducted Thursday at 11:00 AM at Arden Presbyterian Church with Rev. Gus Schill officiating. Interment will follow in Shepherd Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends from 7:00 - 8:30 PM Wednesday at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian on Long Shoals Road.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 31 College Place, Building C, Suite 100, Asheville, NC 28801 or to Arden Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 2215 Hendersonville Road, Arden, NC 28704.
To Richard’s Family: We know your heart’s are hurting and we pray that God will ease the pain and give you strength.
Tammy & Sally,
I just learned of your loss and wanted you to know you are in my prayers. Cards are on the way, but in the meantime, I wanted to say how very, very sorry I am and how much I am praying for you.
Dr. Cook, Mrs. Cook, Tammy, Drew, Lauren and family,
Richard was my best friend for many years. From riding our bikes to the tornado damage on Buck Mountain, to whiffle ball, to basketball camps, to First Methodist Softball (right, Oak?). The old Tech gym was our home away from home. What a great guy to grow up with, I know he was a great husband, Tammy, and he had to be a wonderful father. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Kevin
Dear Tammy,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss, I was away at the time. If there is anything I can do for you please let me know. I have had some of the same feelings and been where you are going. I know I could not of gotten through it with out the help of my church and hospice. If you ever want to go or need any help or just need to talk, pleas feel free to call on me. 684-9404, your neighbor, Jan Whiteman
Dear Tammy and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss, I was away at the time. If there is anything I can do for you please let me know. I have had some of the same feelings and been where you are going. I know I could not of gotten through it with out the help of my church and hospice. If you ever want to go or need any help or just need to talk, pleas feel free to call on me. 684-9404, your neighbor, Jan Whiteman
Dear Sally: Dear Don: Because of my love for Melissa, your family has always seemed part of my extended family. What I remember most about Richard was his quiet smile. It was always there. I know you both are hurting. Mark Twain, following the death of his daughter Suzy, described his loss, saying ‘it would bankrupt the vocabularies of all the languages to put it into words’….May you both find peace and understanding.
All off us in the Mullinax family or so very sorry about your loss. Richard was a wonderful man and will be missed by all. Please let us know if we can help in any way.
Keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers. Please let us know if there is anything we can do.
Don, Sally and Family: We are so sorry about Richard. Please know that we are thinking of you and are very sorry we cannot attend Richard’s services.
Your family at Trietsch Memorial United Methodist Church lifts you up in our prayers, and pray for God’s peace to be with you.
Our hearts and prayers go out to you and the kids. We will always remember the love and kindness Richard had for everyone he was around. Keep faith in God and know that His hand will be in your life to help you through this difficult time.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Drew, Lauren and the extended family. I always told myself I wanted to grow up to be like Richard. May God bless your family, as Richard blessed me, in this time of need. All my love, Jeff
Sorry we can’t be with you at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We’ll be in touch soon.
You’re all in my thoughts and prayers in these difficult days.
You are in our prayers that the Holy Spirit will comfort you and strengthen you in the days to come.
David & Bonnie Seaman
Tammy,
On behalf of Southeastern Fitness I wanted to let you and the kids know you are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless you
Tammy;
My deepest sympathy in your loss. Richard was a wonderful person to work with and know. He also was a devoted father and husband.
He will be missed. My prayers are with you and your family
Sincerely;
Kathryn R. Engstrom
We are all shocked and saddened by this news. We remember Richard from his days here at the Medical Center of Lewisville. Our hearts go out to his loved ones at this time.
I am very sorry to hear of your loss.
Tammy,
Sorry to hear about Richard. Thinking of you, the children and family.
From Medical Center of Lewisville Laboratory Staff – Our condolances and prayers to the family. Those of us that worked with and under Richard remember him as a sincere, professional, friendy, and nice down to earh individual whom we will forever remember. Tammy, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your children during this time.
Kathy, We are all thinking of you during this time and are so sorry for your loss. Roseanne
Dear Cathy,
Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time. You’re in our prayers. We love you.
I am so sorry for your loss. I have always admired the Cook Family and I know you will see each other through. My prayers are with you. Kelly Jordan Valen
Tammy our prayers are with you and the children during this trying time. Lean on Jesus and he will see you through. We went to school with you at Baxter. Harold & Sheri (Scott) Maynard
Dr. Cook & Family,
We’re so sorry to hear about Richard’s death. Please let us know if we can help in the days ahead. David & Jill Horner
Hooper, Huddleston & Horner
So sorry to hear of your loss.
Roger Burke
Tammy, Sylvia and family,
My heart breaks with you. You all have been a special part of my family. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
We love you,
Janice and Gary Brewington
You have our deepest sympathy and
we will keep you in our thoughts
and prayers.
Dear Tammy, Drew & Lauren,
We are deeply sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you all at this difficult time.
Warmly,
The Fidelmans
Just wanted to let Tammy and the kids know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Tammy and The Cook Family,
I am so saddened to hear of Richard’s untimely death. I loved Richard very much. I still remember playing basketball with him as a child. He was a great BIG brother. We all love THE COOK’s very much and grieve with you during this difficult time.
You ALL are in my heart and prayers,
Peggy Sells
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We will always cherish the memories of our times with Richard. He was a true disciple and touched the hearts of more than can ever be counted. Please give the kids a hug for us all.
Zack, Diane and Jake
Richard was my first friend in Cookeville. My family had just moved from Lexinton KY. I arrived a couple of days late for third grade in 1967. Mrs Floyd walked me into the class,sat me beside Richard and said ‘This is Richard Cook. He is now your friend.’ He was my friend from that point on. My daughter changed schools this year… in third grade. I told her this story. We told her teacher who did the same thing.It made her first day a lot easier. Rhonda and I are thinking and praying for you.
To Tammy and Family:
I will always remember Richard as a special part of the Friday morning men’s group. This is where I first met Richard several years ago. Richard brought unique and valuable characteristics to our group which all of us will miss. This is my memorial of Richard:
Wit ‘? I will never forget his uncanny ability to find something humorous (usually by use of a pun), in almost everything we discussed. More humorous to many of us was his concern that we understand his humor, as he would often times attempt to explain it to us. ‘Pleasant words are a honeycomb , sweet to the soul’?’? Proverbs 16:24
Wisdom ‘? On many occasions, members of our group, including myself, have been known to gripe and complain about life, or the circumstances surrounding life. Usually, complaints feed on each other. I cannot recall that Richard ever really became a part of any of these ‘gripe’? sessions, but would rather attempt to turn our conversation to the more positive. ‘A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.’? Proverbs 16:23.
Devotion ‘? As is likely common with many small groups, attention is easily diverted away from the study of Gods word, to the more mundane aspects of life. Without question, Richard was the one person who most often encouraged the group to get back on track, and back into the study that we had all agreed to discuss. Richard was always willing to head up the discussion of our group, or make comments to foster communication. Proverbs 2:1-6.
I am quite sure that I speak for our whole group when I say that we grieve the loss of Richard. We have lost a part of our body, who we dearly miss. His unique contributions cannot be replaced. I pray that God will give all of us strength to get through this very difficult time. We will pray that God will grant you his peace. Please know that we are there to help you out however we can.
Goodby to a good friend. I had not seen Richard since our ATO days at TTU. Seeing his picture even more makes it seem like just last year instead of 20 years ago we were sitting at the house talking about anything and everything. I was not surprised to read of his love for his family and church. Truly, a man of such high character will be missed.