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Ratterman Brothers Funeral Home - St. Matthews

3711 Lexington Road

Louisville, Kentucky

George Kok Obituary

KOK, GEORGE SR., 91 passed away Saturday October 5, 2013. George is a former college and professional basketball player, who played at the University of Arkansas from 1944 - 1948. He was one of the first true big men to dominate the game. He was the second overall pick in the 1948 Basketball Association of America Draft, but never played in the league that was the predecessor of today's National Basketball Association.

Kok played basketball while attending high school in Grand Rapids, Michigan before coming to Arkansas. Standing 6 feet, 11 inches tall, Kok dominated the game from his freshman days, averaging 18.7 points in his first season. During that 1944-45 he led the team to the final four of the NCAA Tournament, losing to Oklahoma A & M (now Oklahoma State) and its dominate big man, Bob Kurland, 69-41 in the regional final.

Kok went on to be the first Arkansas player to score over 1000 points in his career, finished with 1641 in 94 games, an average of 17.5 per contest. At the time the 3 point shot did not exist. He still ranks number 11 on the all-time Arkansas scoring list and his career total was not surpassed for thirty years. He was named The Sporting News 2nd Team all-American in 1945, Associated Press 3rd Team All American in 1948 and All-Southwest Conference in 1945, 1946, and 1948. He twice led the Southwest Conference in scoring.

Kok was selected as the number two pick overall by the Indianapolis Jets in the 1948 BAA Draft, but never signed with the team nor played in the league. He did play one season with Bridgeport in the American Basketball League in the 1949-50, leading the team in scoring at 15 points per game and helping the team to the league finals, where they lost to Scranton.

Following his playing days, Kok became the first athletic director at Pleasure Ridge Park High School and spent 24 years (1958-1982) teaching at the school. The PRP "Little Gym" was dedicated and was named the George W. Kok Sr. Gymnasium in 2011. He has been honored by the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame (1988), the University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame (1994), and the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame (2005), Sixth and Seventh Region Hall of fame, Pi K A Wall of Honor, Pleasure Ridge Park High School Hall of Fame, and the University of Arkansas Legend Southeastern Conference tournament.

George was born on March 18, 1922 to the late Ralph and Sadie Kok. He is preceded in death by his first wife of 51 years, Bernadette H. Kok; a sister, Bea Mersman; brothers, Henry Smeenk and Ralph Kok; and a daughter, Barbara Anne Kok.

He is survived by his wife Lucille Kok, sons George W. Kok Jr. (Ellen) and Kevin O. Kok (Kathie); daughters, Mary Bernadette Kok and Elizabeth Hawk; grandsons, Adam, George III (Ashley), Andrew (Brandi), and Gerald; two great-grandsons, Lucas and CJ; two great- granddaughters, Decker and Haylie; stepsons, Warren (Janice), Paul, David (Deborah) Tom (Beverly) of Lexington, KY, Jim (Patricia), Pat (Elizabeth) and Mike Bruenderman, of New Albany, IN; stepdaughters, Diane Buddington (Don), of Boulder CO, Katherine Bruenderman of Cincinnati, OH, Nancy Skiles (Dallas), Carol Paisley, of Lexington, Martha Gray (John), of Frankfort, KY; Jim Ross, and Gail Skees.

He was a member of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church and a charter member of Saint Clement Catholic Church. He, along with his wife Lucille, was an active member with the singing group The Silver Notes. He was the past president of The Silver Notes and also an L&N Railroad member. He had served many years working with St. Vincent de Paul. He enjoyed playing Dominoes with his family and friends. He was greatly loved and will be missed by his family and his host of friends.

The funeral Mass is 10 a.m. Wednesday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 3345 Lexington Road, with burial in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation is 2-8 p.m. Tuesday at Ratterman Brothers, 3711 Lexington Road.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Cedar Lake Lodge, 7984 New LaGrange Road, Louisville, 40222.

www.rattermans.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Courier-Journal from Oct. 6 to Oct. 8, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for George Kok

Not sure what to say?





Wanda Smth-McQuiston

November 20, 2013

Someone special has left one life but is with God, Amen anyone can contact me
Wanda Smith McQuiston

Belinda Barbee-Mudd

October 10, 2013

A candle has been lite in Heaven in honor of a wonderful loving man. You loved your family, community and students. You were an awe inspiring coach and teacher. Mr. Kok you will be missed by many. Thank you for all you did to help all of us at PRP through the years. We all looked up to you in more ways than one. My sincere condolences and prayers go out to all the family.

Rocky Huber

October 9, 2013

Our prayers are with all the Kok family Mr.Kok was and is an inspiration to the Ridge family .

patricia cahill siegrist

October 9, 2013

so sorry for the kok's family loss... he was a memorable man as well as having a great family...grew up with them and always stood in awe of mr kok... he will now join my beloved family members in a better place....

October 9, 2013

Mr Kok was a giant among men, not just his height but his heart also. You will be sincerely missed!

Kenny Eckhardt

October 8, 2013

To all the family and friends of Mr. Kok,
I'm sorry for your loss, and I offer my
deepest condolences.

October 8, 2013

I (and I'm sure many others) have a special place my heart for Mr. Kok. Please accept my deepest sympathy in his passing. God Bless all of you.
Sincerely,
Rick Pollock

Edward PERRY

October 8, 2013

Mr. Kok will always be remembered. You could see him standing at the end of the hall looking over everyone. Was sorry to see him leave Valley to go to PRP. Rest in peace SIR.

1987 PRP Reunion - Mr. Kok and me

Richard Sumner

October 8, 2013

Mr. Kok was my PE & Health teacher at PRP in its first year of operation (1958-59). On several occasions Mr. Kok spent extra time with me to share some valuable tips about basketball and life. I strived to follow the advice from a man nearly seven feet tall that was given to me as a young teen - the shortest in my grade. Mr. Kok was a great teacher, leader and representative for PRP HS. Thanks for caring Mr. Kok we will not forget you.
My sincere sympathy to Mr. Kok's family.

Sister Marilyn Mueller

October 7, 2013

Dear Kok Family,

I knew George and Bernie when I worked at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish. I loved both of them and enjoyed their company and I imagine that living with him was a joyful experience for all of you.

May you find comfort in the stories and memories you share. May God bless you all.

Sincerely yours,
Sister Marilyn Mueller

October 7, 2013

Bless your heart..I remember you in school. You was and always will be remembered. You are a good man.. Rest in peace. And thank you for all you did for us...

Mark Gatewood

October 7, 2013

George was a good man who never met a stranger. I'm so happy Aunt Lucille & Uncle George had so many wonderful years together. I loved how George would tell people he was 5 feet 23 inches when asked how tall he was. George may you rest in peace. My deepest sympathy to Aunt Lucille & family.

Sue Cook

October 7, 2013

George, I am so sorry for your loss. Mr Kok was such a fine person and funny. I know you are missing him. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Tom Stokes

October 7, 2013

Rest in Peace! Mr Kok was my Gym Teacher at Valley High School in 1957-58> I really enjoyed having him as a teacher! Praying for the family!

October 7, 2013

Always bragged about Mr. Kok and his wonderful career. He was the first teacher I saw my first day at PRP.

Stan Whitaker

October 7, 2013

George made a great difference in the people he met. We had some fun times .

Ami Piccirilli

October 7, 2013

I have such warm memories of Mr. Kok from my days at PRP. He was always so kind and friendly. I asked him once how tall he was and he said, "5 foot, 23 inches," then he winked at me and we shared a laugh. He was a blessing.

October 7, 2013

Mr. Kok hired me for my first job(s); cutting his grass on Summer Haven and cleaning up after Friday night football games at PRP. I didn't realize it back then, but the trust he showed in me back then helps me even to this day.

Lisa Moreman Lea

October 7, 2013

I remember Mr. Kok from when I was a very young girl. My father, Jerry Moreman, was the basketball coach at PRP in the early 60's. Mr. Kok was always very kind. My favorite memory of him is that he could change the list of track records over the gym door without a ladder.

Shelia LaFond

October 6, 2013

Mr. KOK you will be missed. I have enjoyed the past yrs that I have seen you and Mrs. Kok at the Alumni Dinners. And was facinated by your height when I was in the 7th grade at PRP. You will be missed. God Bless your family in these days of grief.

Debbie Farley Lardner

October 6, 2013

Mr. Kok and his family was a big part of my high school day memories and the many years after. My thoughts and prayers goes out to the entire family.....

Joe, Michaela and Dianne Morris

October 6, 2013

Bernadette sorry to hear of your dad's passing. He is playing ball in the heavenly leagues now. We have you in our prayers during this time of sorrow!

Ralph Logan

October 6, 2013

Mr. Kok - A big man in in so many ways besides height. My sincere condolences to the family. Wonderful memories of PRP and Mr. Kok.

Barbara Denney

October 6, 2013

"In Sympathy From the Tree of Life, each leaf must fall -- The green, the gold, the great, the small… Each one in God's own time, He'll call -- With perfect love, He gathers all."

Thoughts and prayers to your family at this difficult time.

mike monarch

October 6, 2013

rest in pease Geo. you have earned it Athletic director, encyclopedia salesman teacher, father,husband, athlede, and friend.

Nickie Padgett-Gill

October 6, 2013

Praaying for the entire Kok family in this time of sorrow. Your dad will always be with you in the memories you each have of him. God Bless

Showing 1 - 26 of 26 results

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