Cranford Rickey Cook

1950 - 2025

Cranford Rickey Cook
Dec. 31, 1950 – July 16, 2025

Cranford Rickey Cook was born and raised in Dallas and passed from this life in the early morning hours of Wednesday, July 16, 2025 in Fort Smith, Ark., with his wife Deborah at his side. Whether you knew him as Dad, Papaw, Rickey or Rick you knew a giant teddy bear of man. Sometimes soft and squishy and sometimes loudly roaring. Mostly quiet and unassuming he was 100 percent himself. If you ever met him you knew a man who was funny, charming and so personable he could strike up a conversation with just about anyone.
Rick graduated from Sunset High School in Dallas and proudly served his country as a mechanic for U.S. Naval Aviation. He was very good at fixin' things that didn't want fixin'. He took great pride in working in his yard and keeping things "just so." Rick had many loves: He was a Christian man who loved God. He loved his wife, ALL their children and grandchildren.
He loved a good game: be it dominoes with family or watching his favorite sports teams compete. He loved watching Texas Longhorns football, Dallas Cowboys and OKC Thunder Basketball (even in the really bad years). In what can only be described as perfect timing, Rick saw OKC Thunder win the NBA Championship before he passed. He enjoyed good food; especially a great cookout! He loved love and being married. He never passed up a good wedding.
Rick moved from Dallas to the Oklahoma City area in the 1980s where he made a good life for himself and his family. He and Deborah retired in 2014 and settled into their retirement home in Vian, where life has a slower pace and away from all the hustle, bustle, traffic and problems of city life. In Vian they found wide open skies and could actually see the stars come out at night. Most days you would find him on his beloved deck just watching the birds and the occasional deer, rabbit or squirrel and just enjoying the day (of course that was only true if he was not visiting one of the local casinos.) Rick and Deborah spent many hours sitting on the deck in warm weather or in their recliners, sometimes laughing and sharing life or sometimes good naturedly arguing over nothing important. They were always loving every minute God gave them together.
Rick was a source of wisdom usually delivered with a side of humor and a twinkle in his eye. He enjoyed sharing stories and life lessons with his children and grandchildren. He always knew what to say and just how to say it in words you would never forget. The lessons stayed with you not because of fancy language but because his words were simple and true. Rick leaves behind a family that adored him, a lifetime of memories filled with laughter and a legacy of love, laughter and a deep appreciation of life's little joys like a great cup of coffee, a good game, a quiet sunset and a perfectly timed punchline.
To honor Rick turn on your favorite sports game (preferably Dallas Cowboys or OKC Thunder) go outdoors and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine or just call someone you love to chat and share a story or two. He would like that.
Rest easy Rick, Rickey, Dad, Papaw. We love you and will never ever forget you! We will meet you at the gate.
Rick is survived by his loving wife Deborah Cook of Vian; his children, Christopher Cook and his wife, Kim of Austin, Texas, Courtney Cook and partner, Sam O'dell of Moore, Tracy Thorne and her husband, Stephen of Austin, Drew Cook of Oklahoma City, Kelsey Ahern and husband, Jesse of Tuttle, Stephen Lambert of Tulsa, Jonathan Lugo and his wife, Am of Rocky and T.J. Coley and his wife, Molly of Harrah. Rick is also survived by his brother-in-law, Gary Craik; nephews, Gary Micheal Peterson and Joshua Peterson; 14 grandchildren; as well as two spoiled dogs, Lincoln and Cassie.
Rick is preceded in death by his parents, Cranford and Billie Cook, and sister Charlotte Craik.
A celebration of a life well lived will be held for Rick at 11 a.m. on Monday Aug., 4, 2025, at Blackgum Harvestime Church in Vian.