James “Jim” Ronald Cook, 68, a former Plymouth resident, living in North Vernon, Ind. for the past 20 years, died of natural causes in the Columbus Regional Medical Center at 2:15 a.m. on Wednesday, August 17, 2011.
Jim was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 15, 1943. He was the son of James M. and Donna Belle (Rhodes) Cook.
He graduated from Plymouth High School with the class of 1961, and attended Indiana Business College in Fort Wayne.
Never married, he served in the United States Army in the Vietnam Era with the Army Intelligence Unit in the Pentagon from 1963 to 1966. He later retired from the National Guard as a Master Sergeant.
He worked as the chef for various military bases and Coil Supply in Seymour, Indiana as a production worker.
Jim was a lifetime member of the Plymouth American Legion Post 27, where he had served as a part time bartender.
Jim is survived by a brother, Gail L. (Patty) Cook, North Vernon, and a sister, Carol Jean (Doug) Barnlund, La Marque, Texas.
Four nieces survive as well. They are; Dara Dougherty and Danette Kirchner, both of North Vernon, Danene Pifer of Seymour and Kristy Cole, Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends are invited to share memories with Jim’s family on Saturday, August 20, 2011, from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth. A service of remembrance will begin at 2 p.m. classmate Mike Kyser will deliver the eulogy.
Special military graveside rites will be given to Jim by members of the American Legion Post 27, V.F.W. Post 1162 and D.A.V. at the Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth.
As a means of giving sight to others, Jim was enrolled in the Indiana Organ Donor Program. Memorial gifts in his name may be given to the James R. Cook, PHS Class of 1961 Scholarship Fund to be established at the Marshall County Community Foundation 2701 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, Indiana 46563.
Janet Smith says
Dear Gail and family,
Jim was a great friend. We both attended Webster Elementary, Lincoln and PHS together. The PHS class of 1961 have a special bond. Celebrating our recent 50th reunion was very special to Jim. Through his pain he laughed and enjoyed being together with classmates.
My thoughts and prayers are with you,
Janet Metsker Smith
Reg Shireman says
Gail & Family
So sorry to hear of your loss. Jim was a good guy and I am sure a great brother. You all will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Reg Shireman
Bonnie (Beals) Essex says
To Gail, Carol, and the Cook family,
I am so grieved to learn of Jim\’s death. I was just with him exactly two months ago this weekend when we were all gathered for our 50th class reunion. I\’m so very thankful Jim\’s health allowed him to be there for the reunion since he had done so much in its planning and for our class, too. He and I had a nice, hour-long talk that weekend while at the Rippy\’s home and I\’m so glad I was able to share that time with him — I learned what a kind and gentle man he had become over these past 50 years. I know your family will greatly miss him and we, his classmates, will miss him, too.
My thoughts and prayers will be with you during this time of loss.
Sincerely,
Bonnie (Beals) Essex
Bryan D. Byers says
Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of Jim.
Becki (Hampton) & Paul Felten says
To Gail, Carol and the entire Cook family,
Our deepest sympathies to all of you. I have been told by several members of the Class of 1961 that Jim wanted to attend the Alumni Banquet and the 50th reunion of his high school graduation. He did both! When I saw him at the Alumni, you could tell he was enjoying himself! Jim no longer needs our prayers .. prayers are now for your family. May you all find comfort in our Risen Lord. Peace and blessings to your family.
Janet Smith says
Dear Gail and family,
Jim was a great friend. We both attended Webster Elementary, Lincoln and PHS together. The PHS class of 1961 have a special bond. Celebrating our recent 50th reunion was very special to Jim. Through his pain he laughed and enjoyed being together with classmates.
My thoughts and prayers are with you,
Janet Metsker Smith
Reg Shireman says
Gail & Family
So sorry to hear of your loss. Jim was a good guy and I am sure a great brother. You all will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Reg Shireman
Bonnie (Beals) Essex says
To Gail, Carol, and the Cook family,
I am so grieved to learn of Jim\’s death. I was just with him exactly two months ago this weekend when we were all gathered for our 50th class reunion. I\’m so very thankful Jim\’s health allowed him to be there for the reunion since he had done so much in its planning and for our class, too. He and I had a nice, hour-long talk that weekend while at the Rippy\’s home and I\’m so glad I was able to share that time with him — I learned what a kind and gentle man he had become over these past 50 years. I know your family will greatly miss him and we, his classmates, will miss him, too.
My thoughts and prayers will be with you during this time of loss.
Sincerely,
Bonnie (Beals) Essex
Bryan D. Byers says
Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of Jim.
Becki (Hampton) & Paul Felten says
To Gail, Carol and the entire Cook family,
Our deepest sympathies to all of you. I have been told by several members of the Class of 1961 that Jim wanted to attend the Alumni Banquet and the 50th reunion of his high school graduation. He did both! When I saw him at the Alumni, you could tell he was enjoying himself! Jim no longer needs our prayers .. prayers are now for your family. May you all find comfort in our Risen Lord. Peace and blessings to your family.