Charles E. Cook, 86, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 18, 2009 at the Bay Pines VA Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.
Charles was born on June 21, 1923 in Rock Island, IL to Ira and Opal Yeaman Cook. He graduated from Rock Island High School. Mr. Cook was an US Army veteran of WWII receiving three overseas bars, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal with I Bronze Battle Star; Philippine Liberation Medal; Good Conduct Medal and a World War II Victory Medal.
He married Elva May Rosser on March 23, 1946 in Rockford, IL. His wife and children were his true passion. Charles was well known for his winning personality and well liked and respected by everyone who knew him. He enjoyed riding horses, setting tile and being around his grandchildren. Charles worked as a tile mechanic for Plumb’s Flooring in Bettendorf, IL until his retirement in 1989. After moving to Seminole in 1981, he continued working until the age of 84. He belonged to the American Legion; ELKS Lodge and the VFW Post 9272, the Auxiliary US Coast Guard of Rock Island, IL and the Bricklayer Union # 6.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Grant Brissman and Jack Cook; a sister, Helen Bealer and two grandchildren: Konni Cook and Kristina Carter and one great granddaughter, Zoe Chandler. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Elva; his son Ralph Cook and daughter-in-law, Terry; Alan Cook and daughter-in-law, Jolene; his daughter, Linda Gerischer and son-in-law, Walter and Joann Cook and their family. He has nine grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren and one great-great grandson. The family would like to express their deepest gratitude for their tireless devotion, kindness and compassion to the Tampa General ICU Unit and to the Bay Pines Hospice Medical Unit.
A graveside service will be 9:15 AM, Friday Morning, September 25, 2009 at the Bay Pines National Cemetery, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd., Bay Pines, FL 33778 with Chaplain Nathanael A. Carr and the Military Honor Guard from VFW Post 9272. A memorial service and celebration of life will be at the ELKS LODGE # 2519, 10717 Seminole Blvd., Seminole, FL 33778 beginning at 11:00 AM.
The family requests, that all floral arrangements directly to Bay Pines VA National Cemetery, prior to service time.
I WILL MISS YOU DAD
Elva and Family,
So sorry to hear of Charlie’s passing. My thoughts, prayers and love goes out to you. If you ever need anything I am here for you.
Your In My Prayers,
Diane
I will miss you grandpa, tell everyone up in heaven we said hi. I will rember the good times we had together, the fun times, and bad. I wish I was there with mom and grandma. I will be there for grandma. I promise I will be good. Im so sorry you had to go from us, it was to soon,but now you are with your famiy. We will see you again soon when its are turn. I will always love you and miss you. We will always have are memerories of you. Love Tonya
Always a smile and always a joke no matter what life thruogh at him. This picture is the way we will remember Charlie (maybe without the tie). You will be missed young man by everyone you touched. Thank you for all you did for this family and may God Bless.
Charlie, I enjoyed the time we had togather. I learned alot about tile setting, its something I know I can not do. You told me if I came down to Fld. again we would go deep sea fishing. well I went. Got sick, caught two fish,and know that deep sea fishing is not for me. I will stick to the river. Enjoy your friends you have missed. Enjoy your eteranl rest you earned it. I will take care of things here. walt
Thank you for so many memories….i always saw gma opal in your eyes. Thank you for standing up to fight for our country…Thank you for showing me what hard work looked like..& what a successful marriage can be…thank you for sharing your precious heart with me…im all those beers!!! thank you for the tears you shed that said, “i love you” even thought you couldn’t (when you were in the hospital). Thank you gpa for being a pillar & for sooo many great memories that have weaved into my being & gave me srength to push on. You were such an awesome person-that i was blessed with to call my “grandpa”. Your memories live on…in little pieces…in gma, in each of your kids, grandkids, great grandkids….and friends. I will miss you and your squeeeeky voice!!