Thomas "Tom" Cook Sr., 74, Oconto Falls, died Sunday morning, April 22, 2012, at
a Green Bay hospital following complications from a cerebral hemorrhage suffered
three days earlier. He was born July 5, 1937, in Woodbury, N.J., to J. H. and
Edith (Teears) Cook. Following graduation from high school, he attended Drexel
University where he graduated with his degree in engineering. While in college,
he started working as a draftsman for Scott Paper Co. in the Philadelphia home
office. As a young man, Tom served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1959 until
1967.
On Sept. 6, 1958, he married Dorothea "Dotty" Hampton in Barrington, N.J. The
couple lived out east until moving to Marinette, Wis., in 1970, where Tom worked
as an engineer. In 1972, the family moved to Oconto Falls, where Tom eventually
became plant manager of the Scott operation while still consulting with
Marinette. In 1982, he went to work as VP and GM of Abel Manufacturing in
Appleton. He then started an extension of WRVM Radio in Suring, WSCO Television
Station. Tom later went on to work for Magna Graphics in Oconto Falls, until
getting into the insurance business and running his insurance and securities
operation until retiring in 2003. Over the years, Tom was involved in Northshore
Church in Menominee, Mich., Gillett Baptist Church and helped start Riverview
Alliance Church in Oconto Falls. Tom was most active in and a longtime member of
the Oconto Gospel Chapel. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and being a Grandpa to his
three grandchildren, Nicole, Thomas III and James Cook.
Survivors are his wife of 54 years, Dotty Cook, Oconto Falls; their two sons,
Tom (Barb) Cook Jr., Lena; Tim (fiancee, Terrie MacNeil) Cook, Green Bay; three
grandchildren, Nicole, Thomas III and James Cook; one brother, Donald (Johanna)
Cook, New Jersey; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, John Cook Jr.; one sister,
Laura Cook; and an infant grandson, Joseph Cook.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 26, 2012, at Jones
Funeral Service in Oconto Falls (920-848-2222 or visit: www.jonesfuneral.com).
Visitation will continue at the Oconto Gospel Chapel, 251 Michigan Ave. Oconto,
after 10 a.m. Friday, April 27, 2012, until the time of service. Funeral
services will be held 11 a.m. Friday at the church with the Rev. Peter Dorn
officiating. Burial will take place in Woodlawn Cemetery, Oconto Falls.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to the Oconto
Gospel Chapel.