Richard Cook

Richard Leon Cook was born in Wilson County, Kansas on what is referred by him as the Cook Farm, near Benedict, on June 4, 1934 to John William Cook and Zola Marie Cook. He was the 11th living child. Richard grew up working in in the fields, using horse-drawn machinery (tractors when available) and had to milk the cows multiple times a day. From an early age, Richard had an avid love of sports, playing basketball and pole vaulting on the track team. Throughout his life, in his spare time he kept up with his favorite teams via the news, radio and the newspaper, many times all at once! In school, he was President and Valedictorian of his class. After graduation, he went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad where he was a telegrapher and radio operator and learned Morse Code, which came in very handy in his work moving forward. He served in the Army from Aug. 18, 1954 until Aug. 17, 1956 and was discharged from the Army Reserves on July 31, 1962. His title was Radio Teletype Operator and his rank at discharge was SP4. Richard married the love of his life, Verna, on Aug. 19, 1956 at East Side Baptist Church in Temple, Texas. The next day, they moved to Kansas for Richard’s employment with Western Union, working for 37 years in many facets. Richard and Verna were blessed with two children, Blenda Joyce and Ronald Leon. After Blenda was born, they moved back to Texas for Richard’s job and they would soon call Euless home for the next 20 years. They were members of First Baptist Church of Euless where he was active as a deacon, served on multiple committees and was a greeter – the ultimate “friendly face.” Richard was a wonderful provider for his family as he made ends meet wherever he could. At different times he owned a lawncare company at which the whole family worked and a vending machine company that he and Ron worked. Even with all that work, he wanted to own some land to spread out on, which he eventually found in Godley – 12 acres of tree-filled, rock-covered land that the family cleared. Richard continued to be an active member at First Baptist Church in Joshua and later at First Baptist Church in Godley, which they still call their church home. Richard was a husband, father, full-time Western Union employee, vending company owner, lawncare company owner, had 12 acres at home to maintain and still was an active church goer – he was busy! He loved nothing more than to piddle around, fish in the pond, spend time with his family and enjoy an ice-cold Dr Pepper. Richard and Verna were blessed to have been married for 63 years and Richard was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Richard went to be with his Lord on Jan. 1, 2020. He will be loved and missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Blenda, his parents and eight of his sibling. Richard is survived by his loving wife and companion, Verna; his son, Ronald, daughter-in-law Kathy, grandson Brantley and granddaughter Bailey; son-in-law Jim, grandson Tyler, granddaughter Ashley and great-granddaughter Lila; older sisters Norma Wescott and Betty Hash and their extended families and multiple loving nieces and nephews.