J. D. Cooke

Obituary

J.D. Cooke died January 14, 2015 surrounded by his loving family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, J.M. and Ruth Smith Cooke, and brother, Carl Cooke.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Cleveland, TN, the American Legion, and the VFW. He was a veteran of WWII.

J.D. requested that an essay written by his grandson, Rob, be included in his obituary.

"One of the major influences in my life has been my Grandfather. He has spent his entire life showing and teaching others the qualities of perseverance, self discipline, and caring. My Grandfather developed and ran his own business, and at the same time, found time to work outside everyday, cut his own firewood, and have fun with his family. He was always the ring leader in water skiing, swimming, and boating. When our family spent time at the lake, he was always the first to ski. As a grandfather to twelve grandkids, he always wanted us to call him by his first name, J.D.

"In October of 1997, at the age of seventy-two, J.D. was diagnosed with macular degeneration. In other words, he was now considered legally blind. I was just in Kindergarten at this time, but I worried with the rest of my family that J.D. would not be able to continue doing all the things he loved to do.

"During the following eleven years, we have all been amazed as J.D. has continued his life long examples of perseverance, self discipline, and caring. My entire family celebrated J.D.'s seventy-eitghth birthday at the lake so we could make pictures of him skiing. He is really good on the slalom ski.

"Now at age eighty-three, J.D. continues to work outside almost everyday, and still cuts his own firewood. He listens to books on tape, and keeps up with what I should be reading, too. He enjoys planning family times when we are all together, including four new great-grandchildren.



"J.D. has been and will always be an inspiration to me. He has taught me that no matter what happens, if I persevere, stay disciplined and focused, and care about others, my life will always hold these meaningful laws of life."

Rob Cooke

J.D. is survived by his wife Helen Hall Cooke, and his children, Janey Cooke and Walter Bembenista, Bob and Nancy Cooke, Joy Cooke Story Baxter and Chuck Baxter, Kay Cooke Kalfas Slater and Robert Slater, Bill Cooke, and Tom Cooke, and his grandchildren, Ryan and Stephanie Hamby Cooke, Jenny and Scott McMahan, Collin and Ashley Barton Cooke, Rob Cooke, Kimberlie Story, Kristina Story, Jay Kalfas, Cassie Kalfas Pye, Bobby Slater III, Natalie and Darin Kellum, Rusty and Erika Lawson Cooke, Candice and Chris Strain, Clinton and Amy Herndon Cooke, and his great grandchildren, Logan Cooke, Halie Gamble, Jacie and Chayton Pye, Tori Beth Cooke, Jude and Sullivan Cooke, Coleman and Ethan Strain, and Emmagail Kellum, and his sisters-in-law, Martha Cooke and Anna Cox.

The visitation will be held Thursday, January 15, at the Companion Funeral Home, from 5:00 to 7:30 pm. A brief service will follow visitation, officiated by grandson Collin Cooke

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the planned Veteran's Home at SETVH, 155 Ocoee Street, Room 105, Cleveland, TN 37311.

You are encouraged to share a memory of J.D. and/or your personal condolences with his family by visiting his memorial web page and guestbook at www.companionfunerals.com.

Companion Funeral Home and the Cody family are honored to assist the Cooke family with his arrangements.


Visitation Details
5:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Thursday, January 15th, 2015
Companion Funeral Home
2419 Georgetown Road NW
Cleveland, TN 37311


Memorial Service Details
7:30 PM
Thursday, January 15th, 2015
Companion Funeral Home
2419 Georgetown Road NW
Cleveland, TN 37311