Richard W. Cook

Richard Cook, age 85, of Grand Island, died Wednesday, January 17, 2007, at Nebraska Veterans Home in Grand Island.

Graveside Services were held at 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, January 23rd at the Grand Island Veterans Home Cemetery. Higby-McQuiston Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at higbymortuary.com.

Obituary: RICHARD WATSON COOK

Richard W. Cook was born August 14, 1921 and passed away January 17, 2007. He was the second child of eight born to Lester H. and Gladys J.(McVey) Cook.

He received the Lord at a very young age and carried his Bible with him always.

He received a Purple Heart as well as many other medals in WWII. He spoke of his “war buddies” often remembering them and the war with great clarity.

Richard grew up working on automobiles with his Uncle Wilber McVey in Hampton. His love of mechanics continued for the remainder of his life. He also enjoyed model cars and collectible autos. He learned how to work on clocks as a hobby in his later years and found great enjoyment repairing them for friends and neighbors.

Richard never graduated from high school because of hard times, but in November 2006, he received his Honorary Diploma from the Nebraska State Board of Education.

Richard also worked for the railroad and at the steel mills in Pennsylvania, but his greatest love was working with children. He eventually settled in Boise Idaho and helped teach special education children how to read. He received the “Foster Grandfather of the Year” award through that program.

Left to mourn his passing are many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Robert O. Cook and six sisters, Florence F. Koonce, Hattie A. Kirkpatrick, Mary A. Cook, Edythe M. Emerick, Gladys M. Wessels, and Jacqueline Cook.