Harold A. "Hal" Cook

Harold A. (Hal) Cook, 88, formerly of Midland and Hendersonville, N.C., died in Greenville, S.C., on April 2, 2012. Hal was born to Arthur and Vera (Thompson) Cook on Sept. 1, 1923, in Wolverine. He was raised in Midland, and graduated from Midland High School in 1941. Hal enlisted and was awarded a Bronze Star serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. He received his degree in journalism from the University of Michigan in 1948. Hal and Helen Theresa O'Sullivan, of Mount Pleasant, were married in 1949, and they raised their five children in Midland.

Hal worked in public relations with The Dow Chemical Co. and Dow Corning Corp. for 26 years. He was instrumental from the initial developmental phases of the Midland Community Tennis Center, and then managed the facility from its opening in 1973 until 1985. He was very proud to have played a role in the development of a wonderful community asset.

Hal and Helen both loved living in the mountains of Hendersonville, N.C., where they retired in 1985. Hal supported the communities in which he lived, and was active in the First United Methodist Church, Kiwanis, Lions, and University Club. He especially enjoyed playing the clarinet in the Hendersonville Community Band.

Hal was an athlete and sports enthusiast. His father purchased a net, attached it to their oval dining room table, and Hal developed a very effective style of "ping pong" which resulted in many city championships (and frustrated his children for many years). His first love was basketball. He played varsity tennis at the University of Michigan, and was a highly ranked senior at sectional and national levels. Hal was inducted into the Midland County Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.

Hal and Helen moved to the Commons of Providence, in Sandusky, Ohio, in 2007, where he was a committed caregiver to Helen. Shortly after she died in 2010, Hal returned to the Carolinas, living out his life at The Woodlands at Furman, in Greenville, S.C.

Hal was a devoted and loving father. He is survived by his five children, Ron (Lise) Cook of Huron, Ohio, Carol (Bill) Jansen of Mason, Ohio, Kevin (Susan) Cook of Greenville, Miss., Charlet (Tom) Snyder of Hendersonville, N.C., and Steve Cook of Greenville, S.C.; and the grandchildren he cherished, Abigail and Adam Cook, Leah, Tim, and Danielle Jansen. Hal was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Helen; his parents; and his brother, Robert Cook.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 7, 2012, at First United Methodist Church in Midland. The Rev. Chuck Keyworth will officiate. The family will meet with friends in the church parlor from 10 a.m. until the service. Interment will be at Midland Cemetery following the service. Donations may be made to the charity of your choice.