Ronald Cook

Ronald Lee Cook, 83, passed away unexpectedly from cancer Friday, May 29, 2020, in Tucson, Arizona.

Known as “Ronnie” to his family in his home town, and “Ron” to his friends in Arizona, he was born in Creston to Wayne and Grace (Forquer) Cook, Jan. 10, 1937, the youngest of five children.

In 1955, at the age of 17, Ron joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served two tours of duty in Vietnam during the war. Initially a mess hall cook, then an aircraft mechanic and eventually rising in rank to gunnery sergeant while assigned as a helicopter crew chief. After 20 years of proud service to his country, Ron retired from the USMC and joined the Yuma County Humane Society. He quickly rose in rank to lieutenant, and once again, retired after nearly 20 years of service to spend time with his wife.

Ron lived in Arizona in his later years, enjoyed making his meals from scratch — especially desserts, like fudge and pecan pies, watching old westerns on T.V. and playing the card game “Oh Hell” with his daughter and son-in-law on the weekends.

Ron is survived by his children: Robert E. (Linda) Cook, Karon Jo (Dan) Morell (Cook) and Paul A. (Penny) Cook; six grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren; siblings: Betty Lou (Cook) Shea and Thomas Cook; his many nieces, nephews and friends.

Ron was a married/widowed man and was preceded in death by his parents Wayne and Grace (Forquer) Cook, his wife Elsie Doris Cook (1927-2004), his grandson John W. Dixon Jr. (Karon’s son), his sister Anita (Cook) Young, his brother Edwin Cook, his beloved brother-in-law and life mentor Bernard Shea.

Ron was a strong-willed, independent man, a very loving husband and terrible card player (although good-natured at losing). He will be dearly missed by all that knew him.

Per Ron’s final wishes, he is to be cremated and his ashes are to be buried in the Sunset Vista, military cemetery in Yuma, Arizona, next to his wife of 44 years, Elsie Doris Cook. His nephew Gary Shea is to be the presiding pastor.

Ron's family wishes to extend their sincerest gratitude to the owners and caretakers at the Cascades of Tucson, assisted living apartments and to the Casa De La Luz Hospice staff for the care and kindnesses they provided to Ron — "the gentle giant" — during his final years.