Thomas Owen Cook, 78, of Poseyville, Indiana, died Sept. 6 in Newburgh, Indiana at Hamilton Pointe Health and Rehabilitation of complications from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.
Tom was born in Evansville, Indiana, to Owen M. and Mildred A. (Richards) Cook. He grew up on the family farm in Oregon.
Tom graduated from Corvallis (Oregon) High School in 1956. Attended McMinnville College, University of Buffalo, and Evansville College.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1960, where he was a photographer for the Army Aviation Testing Board at Fort Rucker, Alabama. The highlight of his career was being on the team that tested the Army's Huey Helicopter.
While in the Army, he met, and later married Minnie Arnold in Andalusia, Alabama on March 5, 1960.
He worked most his life in the upholstery industry. Started as a salesman in 1964, then as owner of Thomas Cook and Sons, of his own wholesale upholstery supply, and industrial sewing machine business in 1970. Later changed to retail and opened Tom Cook's Upholstery Center in 1986, along with Industrial Sewing Machine Company. Worked there until his retirement.
Hobbies included old car history, exploring wild caves, and auto racing. Enjoyed traveling back to Oregon to visit family, and attending his high school reunions. Also loved family gatherings with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Minnie Cook; sons Mark and his fiancee Penny, George, and Jim and his wife Becky; brother Bryon Cook; sister Beverly Swearingen; five grandchildren, and by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Clive Michael and Robert Cook.
Tom was born in Evansville, Indiana, to Owen M. and Mildred A. (Richards) Cook. He grew up on the family farm in Oregon.
Tom graduated from Corvallis (Oregon) High School in 1956. Attended McMinnville College, University of Buffalo, and Evansville College.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1960, where he was a photographer for the Army Aviation Testing Board at Fort Rucker, Alabama. The highlight of his career was being on the team that tested the Army's Huey Helicopter.
While in the Army, he met, and later married Minnie Arnold in Andalusia, Alabama on March 5, 1960.
He worked most his life in the upholstery industry. Started as a salesman in 1964, then as owner of Thomas Cook and Sons, of his own wholesale upholstery supply, and industrial sewing machine business in 1970. Later changed to retail and opened Tom Cook's Upholstery Center in 1986, along with Industrial Sewing Machine Company. Worked there until his retirement.
Hobbies included old car history, exploring wild caves, and auto racing. Enjoyed traveling back to Oregon to visit family, and attending his high school reunions. Also loved family gatherings with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Minnie Cook; sons Mark and his fiancee Penny, George, and Jim and his wife Becky; brother Bryon Cook; sister Beverly Swearingen; five grandchildren, and by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Clive Michael and Robert Cook.
Thomas Owen Cook, 78, of Poseyville, Indiana, died Sept. 6 in Newburgh, Indiana at Hamilton Pointe Health and Rehabilitation of complications from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.
Tom was born in Evansville, Indiana, to Owen M. and Mildred A. (Richards) Cook. He grew up on the family farm in Oregon.
Tom graduated from Corvallis (Oregon) High School in 1956. Attended McMinnville College, University of Buffalo, and Evansville College.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1960, where he was a photographer for the Army Aviation Testing Board at Fort Rucker, Alabama. The highlight of his career was being on the team that tested the Army's Huey Helicopter.
While in the Army, he met, and later married Minnie Arnold in Andalusia, Alabama on March 5, 1960.
He worked most his life in the upholstery industry. Started as a salesman in 1964, then as owner of Thomas Cook and Sons, of his own wholesale upholstery supply, and industrial sewing machine business in 1970. Later changed to retail and opened Tom Cook's Upholstery Center in 1986, along with Industrial Sewing Machine Company. Worked there until his retirement.
Hobbies included old car history, exploring wild caves, and auto racing. Enjoyed traveling back to Oregon to visit family, and attending his high school reunions. Also loved family gatherings with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Minnie Cook; sons Mark and his fiancee Penny, George, and Jim and his wife Becky; brother Bryon Cook; sister Beverly Swearingen; five grandchildren, and by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Clive Michael and Robert Cook.
Tom was born in Evansville, Indiana, to Owen M. and Mildred A. (Richards) Cook. He grew up on the family farm in Oregon.
Tom graduated from Corvallis (Oregon) High School in 1956. Attended McMinnville College, University of Buffalo, and Evansville College.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1960, where he was a photographer for the Army Aviation Testing Board at Fort Rucker, Alabama. The highlight of his career was being on the team that tested the Army's Huey Helicopter.
While in the Army, he met, and later married Minnie Arnold in Andalusia, Alabama on March 5, 1960.
He worked most his life in the upholstery industry. Started as a salesman in 1964, then as owner of Thomas Cook and Sons, of his own wholesale upholstery supply, and industrial sewing machine business in 1970. Later changed to retail and opened Tom Cook's Upholstery Center in 1986, along with Industrial Sewing Machine Company. Worked there until his retirement.
Hobbies included old car history, exploring wild caves, and auto racing. Enjoyed traveling back to Oregon to visit family, and attending his high school reunions. Also loved family gatherings with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Minnie Cook; sons Mark and his fiancee Penny, George, and Jim and his wife Becky; brother Bryon Cook; sister Beverly Swearingen; five grandchildren, and by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Clive Michael and Robert Cook.
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