John P. Cook

MAKANDA- John Paul Cook, age 73, of Makanda, passed away at 12:10pm on Saturday October 29, 2005 surrounded by his family, friends and labrador retriever Katie at his residence in Makanda. John was born in Ina, IL on March 1, 1932 to Arlie Nolen and Wilma Baines (Ligon) Cook. The family later moved to West Frankfort, IL. It was in West Frankfort that he attended high school and remained until 1952, when he left to serve 2 years in the United State Army at Fort Leonardwood, MO, during the Korean War. Upon returning from the army, John moved to Carbondale, where he opened various businesses, including a small restaurant and doughnut shop near the S.I.U. Campus. He then opened a laundry business. In the early 1960s, Mr. Cook began selling real estate for Cherry Realty and then Century 21 where he spent over 20 years specializing in commercial and farm sales. During this period, John attended auctioneer school in Fort Smith, Arkansas and conducted many real estate and fund raising auctions throughout Southern Illinois. In 1984, Mr. Cook co-founded Cook Sales Inc., which manufactures residential storage buildings known as Cook Portable Warehouses. The company has four manufacturing plants which are in Cobden, IL, Valdosta, GA, Bastrop, TX and Grenada, MS. These plants distribute the product throughout the Midwest and Southeast. John married Linda Raney Bevis on April 26, 1985 in Makanda. She survives. Mr. Cook attended the Church of the Nazarene in Anna, IL. His interests included hunting, fishing, golf and S.I.U. athletics. Survivors- Wife- Linda Raney Bevis Cook- Makanda, IL 2 sons- Greg N. (wife Nancy) Cook- Makanda, IL Roger W. (wife Susan) Parks- Makanda, IL 1 daughter- Tedra L. (husband Mike) Miller- Murphysboro, IL 7 grandchildren- Chad (and Amileth) Brooks- Anna, IL Heath Brooks- Makanda, IL Jacob Cook- West Point, NY. Jared Cook- Makanda, IL Carly Cook- Makanda, IL Dustin Parks- Makanda, IL J.D. Parks- Makanda, IL 1 great great grandson- Grant Brooks- Murphysboro, IL 3 brothers- Bill Cook- Mountain Home, Ark Kenneth Cook- West Frankfort, IL Jim Cook- Anna, IL 1 sister- Doris Shelton- Waltonville, IL He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday November 2, 2005 at the Grand Avenue Christian Church in Carbondale, IL. Rev. Brooks Wilson, Rev. Richard Keely and Rev. Walter Stevenson will officiate services. Burial will follow at the Cobden City Cemetery in Cobden, IL. Visitation will be held from 5-9 P.M. Tuesday November 1, 2005 at the Grand Avenue Christian Church in Carbondale. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Francis Animal Rescue or Hospice of Southern Illinois. Memorial envelopes will be available at the church and Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home. Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion is handling arrangements. For more information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com