CDR Gordon S. Cook

1931 - 2017

CDR Gordon S. Cook, 85, of Davidson, NC passed away on July 27, 2017 at the Hidell Nursing unit at The Pines at Davidson. He was born on December 23, 1931 in Queens, NY and grew up in Douglaston, NY to the late Thomas Gordon Cook and Evelyn A. Stuart Cook. CDR Cook is a retired U.S. Navy Chaplain who has devoted many years to promoting educational opportunities for the U.S. Service members and their families overseas. He received his BA at Yale University in 1953. He later attended New Brunswick Theological Seminary in New Brunswick, N.J., graduating in 1960. During his career as a Navy Chaplain he took Post Graduate studies at Princeton Theological Seminary in 1968. He later received his Doctorate from Andover Newton Theological School in 1978 while serving as hospital chaplain in Groton, CT. at the Naval Hospital. His military career includes service in Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star (Combat "V") for his service with the U.S. Marines. Dr. Cook has also served as Director of Education for the U.S. Marines in Okinawa (1986-1992). Prior to holding that position CDR Cook was employed by Central Texas College as the Regional Student Services Officer, Okinawa (1983-1986). CDR Cook and his wife, Carol resided in Okinawa for over twenty years, and currently resided at The Pines at Davidson, NC.

CDR Cook's active duty experiences included sea duty with DESRON 2 in Norfolk, VA and he was on the USS Pierce when it intercepted a Russian trawler in the early 1960's when JFK was president. He had hospital duty in Groton, Connecticut at the submarine base and at St. Albans Naval Hospital in Long Island, NY. He served as a base chaplain at Naval Air Base, Lemoore, CA after returning from Vietnam, served with infantry and artillery units at Camp Lejeune, NC with the U.S. Marines and was the senior Base Chaplain at Camp S.D. Butler in Okinawa from 1978-1981. Gordon served as the first President of the Satellite Chapter of Charlotte Metrolina Chapter of MOAA until 2008. He has been a member and past president of MOAA Chapters going back to his days in Okinawa when it was TROA. He is survived by his loving wife, Carol Jane Webber Cook and son Trevor Gordon Cook. He is predeceased by his sister, Beverly A. Peller. A service will be held Saturday, August 19, 2017 at 2pm at Davidson College Presbyterian Church in Davidson, NC with a visitation following the service at The Pines at Davidson, 400 Avinger Lane, Davidson, NC 28036. Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home is assisting the family. Condolences may be made to www.raymerfh.com.