Paul Millard Cook died Nov. 13, at his
residence after an illness. He was 95.
He was born September 23, 1914 to
Charles and Theo (Blackburn) Cook in
Baxter Springs, Kan. He graduated
Baxter Springs High School in class of
1934, he played football for Baxter for
four years and was quarterback his
senior year. He also played basketball
for 3 years.
He married Maxine Groom of Picher, on
February 9, 1941, they had 52 years of
marriage before she preceded him in
death in 1993. He joined the United
States Army in February of 1941 and was
assigned to the Headquarters Battery of
the 161st Field Artillery 35th Division
during World War II, he was station at
Ft. Randall, Cold Bay Alaska, Amchitka,
Aleutian Islands, he also served in
Belgium, Germany and France before being
discharged on June 30, 1945.
He remained active in many of his army
reunions and help to organize them until
1994.
He was employed by United States Postal
Service, B.F. Goodrich in Miami, and
then retired from the State of Oklahoma
Highway Department in 1978 as a
surveyor/inspector.
He has lived in Quapaw since his
retirement after moving from Claremore.
He married Edna Keithley of Quapaw in
1998.
He is a member of the 32 Degree Mason,
Midwest Hunters Association, he served
as commander in the V.F.W. in both
Commerce and Picher, he had always been
active in Boy Scouts of America and
served as a Boy Scout Leader, as a youth
he was a member of the Tom Mix Patrol
Boys Mounted Troop from 1926-1932, and a
member of the First United Methodist
Church of Baxter Springs, Kansas.
He was a member of Show Me Birds a
resort in Baxter Springs and loved to
hunt and fish.
He is preceded in death by his six
siblings: Johnny Cook, Kate Wyrick,
Carmen Taylor, Leonard Cook, Leland Cook
and Ruth Bottero.
Survivors: one son: Paul Jr. and wife
Alma Cook of Baxter Springs, Kansas; two
daughters: Carolyn and husband Ed
Sweeney of Quapaw, Oklahoma, Ethel Marie
Cook of Miami, Oklahoma; one sister:
Elizabeth Dietz of Anoka, Minnesota.
Four grandchildren Dr. Phillip cook of
Carl Junction, Missouri, Kenneth Cook of
Quapaw, Oklahoma, Courtney Sweeney of
Kansas City, Missouri, and Ashley Monson
of Springdale, Arkansas; seven great
grandchildren.
Services were held 10 a.m., Tuesday,
Nov. 17, 2009 at the First United
Methodist Church in Baxter Springs with
the Rev. Wayne Handle officiated.
Interment followed in the Baxter
Cemetery under the direction of the Paul
Thomas Funeral Home of Miami, Oklahoma.
Military honors were conducted by the
American Legion Funeral Detail of Miami,
Oklahoma. Pallbearers were Chuck
Bottero, Wayne Cook, Ron McAffrey, Jimmy
Morton, Tony Murray and Dr. Mike Shepard
