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BORN
1941
DIED
2015
FUNERAL HOME
James COOK Obituary
SPRINGFIELD, IL - James C. Cook, 74, of Springfield, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015, at Memorial Medical Center.
He was born Sept. 4, 1941, in Grundy, VA, to Marshall and Ella Keene Cook. He married Sue Hess on July 1, 1961, in Grundy, VA, and she survives.
Mr. Cook is also survived by one son, Jimmy (Glynis) Cook of Bixby, OK; two daughters, Deborah (Kevin) Garner of Springfield, and Tracie (Robert) Blaise of Petersburg, eight grandchildren: Sarah, Morgan, LaNeisa, Kalie, Erika, Dannielle, Lauren, and Adam, and six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by three sisters and three brothers.
Jim started working early in life in the coal mines of Virginia and he retired from Leviton Manufacturing Company as a warehouse manager in Bensonville, IL.
He owned and exhibited half Arabian/half Quarter horses and won several classes in the Chicago area with his mare, Ladybelle. Jim also loved his pug, Bobo.
Jim was known for his strong and silent demeanor and his witty sense of humor. He was a man of few words, but they were the right ones. He loved and adored his family.
A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m. on Wednesday Oct. 21, 2015, at Bisch Funeral Home West, 2931 Koke Mill Rd., Springfield.
The family will meet friends from 11 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday at Bisch West.
As a thankful recipient of a kidney donation in 1991, the family is asking that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to: The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois, 215 W. Illinois St., Suite 1C, Chicago, IL 60654, www.nkfi.org.
Please visit the online "Life Remembered Story" at www.biscfuneralhomewest.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James COOK
Sponsored by Bisch Funeral Home.
Erika
December 17, 2022
I love this memory of being with my papaul at his home. Anytime the world became to difficult for me I knew I could always go to his house and hang out with him. We would have a good dinner, watch either old westerns or Americas most wanted/cops depending on the time of day it was when I got there. Playing with the pugs bobo and lulu, sitting outside on the patio enjoying the evening while having a good conversation or receiving good advice. I´m so grateful he visits me in my dreams. It´s a huge comfort to me just knowing he´s still with me even if he isn´t here physically. He is/was the BEST person I´ve ever known, never let me down a day in my life, even when I´ve made mistakes. He´s just a good man who set great examples for his family. I will always cherish the 28 years I had with him. Merry Christmas PaPaul I love and miss you dearly. I wish I could just get one of your hugs for Christmas. Love, Erika
November 8, 2015
Being born at the beginning of ww2 we shared not only our central Illinois location we chose and loved, but we were both family first kind of men . He's a hard act to follow . As I approach my 74 th birthday and just had my 50 th on his birthday sept 4 th with my bride, little education and hard work we shared ,love of our family's our passion . May god bless him and his family. James R. Cook Jacksonville Illinois
LISA RUSH
October 21, 2015
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Pete Wyatt
October 21, 2015
Gone to Heaven but not for gotten.
Allison Savage
October 21, 2015
Tracie, Debbie & Sue,
I only met your dad/husband a couple of times - but what a sweet man!! May the fondest of memories you hold deep in your heart guide you through each of these toughest days.
My sincere condolences,
Deb Waddell
October 21, 2015
Jim was one of a kind. He will be missed by all that knew him. Good bye old friend. May you rest with God until we meet again. Deb & Tom Waddell
Gary & Linda Ratliff
October 20, 2015
Sorry for your loss of Jim. Prayers for healing ❤
Raj patel
October 20, 2015
Sorry for your loss. I will miss Him. Raj(Springfield IL)
Steve Underwood
October 20, 2015
Sue, Jimmy, Debbie, Tracie and the rest of the Cook family and your extended families. My heart goes out to you at this time. I'm terribly sorry to hear of Jim's passing, he truly was one of the good guys, an amazing husband, wonderful father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. It was my pleasure to know Jim, with him you always knew where you stood and there aren't too many of his kind around. He left you all with tremendous memories and made your lives, all of our lives, better for having him be a part of it.
I'm truly sorry I will not be able to make it to help in celebrating Jim's life, but please know that he truly had an influence in my life.
With much respect and my condolences, peace be with all of you.
Connie Booker
October 20, 2015
Sue, Tracie, Deb and Jimmy my heart goes out to each and everyone of you! Jim was such a great man and I to loved him and loved listening to him he always made me laugh! He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend! Jim you will forever be remembered as a very special friend of mine! I will miss you dearly and know that I too along with your children to take care of your beautiful wife! RIP my dear friend! Love you and miss you always!
Jan Nergenah
October 20, 2015
Tracie and Family,
My heart goes out to all of you. I think I only met your Dad once but from the family I do know, he must have been an amazing man. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Treasure the memories and know that he's in heaven watching over all of you. All my love
Jan Nergenah
Samantha Squires
October 20, 2015
I am so sorry Sue about the passing of your husband. I pray that God will give you peace and strength..
October 20, 2015
Sue, I wanted to say that you and Jim had a very big impact on my life. Butch and I thought so very highly of both you and Jim. Will miss having dinners with him. He always made us feel so special. And I know he Loved his Family First and Foremost. He will be forever Remembered in our Luves and Heart. Butch and Jackie.
October 20, 2015
I'm so sorry for the loss in your family. I only meet Jim once, but all the wonderful things I/ve heard about him was just a heartwarming feeling of a great man. He will always be in your heart. I pray that God gives you peace during this hardship in your life.
Kim Peters
Dannielle Fiers
October 20, 2015
I love you paupal. I know you are at peace now with our God and can rest comfortably with no worries. You are the strongest man I know and you created an amazing family with grandma. We all love you and I know that you know that. Please watch over us until we can see you again. I can't say I love you enough. I love you I love you I love you. I will talk to you through prayer and I look forward to seeing you in my dreams. Our family will take good care of grandma and Bobo. This is your time to relax and be with your family you haven't been able to see for many years. I look forward to seeing you again and giving you lots of hugs and kisses. I love you so much paupal.
Stephanie Hundt Lowe
October 20, 2015
My heart is breaking for what you all are going through. He was such a wonderful man. As Tracie said it best, he was a man of few words but they were always the right ones. He has all of you in his hands from above. You have my deepest condolences.
Michelle Lefrere
October 20, 2015
Sue, Jimmy, Debbie, Tracie & Family, You all are in my prayers & my heart goes out to everyone in your family as Jim was a great guy to have known all the years that I was lucky enough to know him. And I know how much he loved you all & there is no greater gift in life than that. Love to you all & May God Bless Everyone--Your Friend, Michelle Lefrere
Tami Foster
October 20, 2015
Sue and family - My heartfelt sympathy at the loss of Jim. Mr. Cook was a wonderful man and loved his family so very much. May you find comfort and peace in your memories of him.
Jill Dorworth
October 20, 2015
Mrs Sue and family, my heart bleeds for you during this difficult time. Your love for one another was one of a kind. A true love story. May you all find comfort and peace.
Nancy Sims
October 19, 2015
Aunt Sue, Jimmy, Debbie and Tracie, I am so very sorry. This was a shock to me. I guess I always expected him to be here for a long time to come. I wish we lived closer to each other. I have missed out on getting to really know the wonderful uncle and man that I know he was. May God Bless each of you and give you comfort like no one else can. Love and Prayers, Nancy Sims
Loraine Coleman
October 19, 2015
Sue, I am so sorry that my favorite uncle passed away. I will never forget the biggest banana split I ever had when I last saw him. I feel so heartbroken an empty at his passing. My prayers go out to you Sue who I dearly love an your entire family. You were the perfect couple and made a great impression on me, making me want to do better. He i s with the Lord. Your niece an playmate growing up Loraine Coleman
Robert Blaise
October 19, 2015
Dear Jim, It has only been the 10 years that I have been able to be thankful to know you but I wanted to write you to say good bye. You were a man of few words but thankfully I'm not. I have never really met a man like you. I would describe you as "true grit" or "old school", a combination of John Wayne and Clint Eastwood with just a dash of Cary Grant thrown in. A true man's man, someone who came from humble beginnings in a country coal mine to create a wonderful full life. You defied all medical statistics and lived a great life, but that doesn't even come close to do you justice as a description of the man you were. You were also a dear and loving husband, wonderful father and great grandfather. You have left behind such a wonderful family that will love, remember, and miss you forever and each one of them has a part of you in them and no one would be who they are if it weren't for you. I am epically grateful for the woman you created in your youngest daughter because I would not be the man I am without her. You never missed an opportunity to let you know that she may be my wife but she was your daughter FIRST and will always be. I respected and loved you for that. I enjoyed always greeting you with a handshake so you could "in you own way" let me know were still the first man in Tracie's life. I will miss being able to share our jokes and laughs "usually at the disgust of our wives". You had so many great stories and I know I didn't even get to come close to hearing most of them and I am sadden that you have taken the remainder with you. You were and are one hell of man, they truly don't make them like you any more. So DAD "and yes I know you said Jim was fine but I think I get to use it this one time" I will forever miss and love you, and once again thank you for the loving family you left behind..... Robert
Scott Merchant
October 19, 2015
I am so so so incredibly sorry for your loss Tracie. Your father was a wonderful man and I am sure he looking after you and your family from up above.
October 19, 2015
Sue and Family, my heart goes out to all of you during this sorrowful time.
May God Bless you All.
Brenda Kay Hershey
October 19, 2015
Jim Cook, my Uncle, brother of my Mother Gertrude Skeens, was a unique and wonderful man. His quick wit and willingness to help all in need will always be remembered, as will he, a Man among Men.
Bon Voyage Uncle Jim. I know where you are at rest now, and I hope to be with you some day. All My Love, Chuck Stanley
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