Charles Cook, Jr.

Charles Cook, Jr., 79, formerly of Columbia City, Ind. and of Avon Park, FL, went home to be with our Lord at 9:32 p.m. Monday, September 15, 2014 at Good Shepherd Somers Hospice House in Sebring, Fla. Born on July 28, 1935 in Clarence, Mo., he was the son of the late Rev. Charles T. Cook, Sr. and Mable L. (White) Cook.

He lived in Missouri until the age of ten when his family moved to Bourbonnais, Illinois. He completed his formal education in Bradley, Ill.In August 1957, he entered the United States Army and served in Ft. Carson, CO; Ft. Knox, KY; and finally in Anchorage, Alaska.After his Basic Training, he returned home to Ironwood, MI where his parents had moved to Pastor the Ironwood Nazarene Church.It was during the one week he was home that he met the woman of his dreams.He asked her out on a date and on the 3rd day he asked her to be his wife.Their's was a love affair that grew and strengthened through daily letters while he served in the military. In August 1959, Charles completed his Tour of Duty and was honorably discharged.He returned to Illinois where on September 5, 1959, at the North Wildwood Avenue Nazarene Church in Kankakee, he tookRuth Esther Cook, also of Ironwood, MI, to be his Bride.The ceremony was officiated by his father, the late Rev. Charles T. Cook, Sr.

They made their home in Kankakee, Ill.In 1961, Charles was hired at Rudolph Express.This began a 30 year successful career in Truck Driving.In 1968, the family moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana and settled in Columbia City in 1970. In addition to driving for Rudolph Express, he also drove for Roadway Express; 3 C's Highway; and TNT Holland which he retired from in September of 1991. During his retirement years he worked as a Janitor at Washington Twp. School and then as a School Bus Driver for Thorncreek Twp. School.For several years he made custom made wood outdoor furniture.Many homes throughout Whitley County still have a swing, chair, or glider made by Charles.

In 1998 he and Ruth moved to Avon Park, FL where he continued making furniture for others.He was a member of The Community Bible Church and would often help with delivering food supplies to their Food Pantry which serves a great many families in the area.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Ruth Esther Cook; daughters, Cyndy (Joe) Faulkner of Deep Run, N.C. and Sandy (Jeff) Huff of Columbia City; sons, Christopher Todd Cook of Columbia City, and Jeffrey Allen Cook of Milford; brothers, Billy D. Cook of Indianapolis, Bobby R. Cook of Tennassee, and Laurell G. Cook of Milroy; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 26, 2014 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 27, 2014 at the funeral home. Burial will follow at South Park (Annex) Cemetery with the Whitley County Korean War Veterans performing military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorials toward his final expense account, I.C.O. of DeMoney-Grimes.