James J. Cook

From the start, “Jack” was a high achiever. As a child he delivered newspapers on a one-eyed horse with no saddle, so it is no wonder he graduated from NE Highschool in Oklahoma City in 1946 as Senior Class and Honor Society President, lettering in basketball every year. He went on to graduate with honors from The University of Oklahoma as a Civil Engineer and joined the Air Force as a fighter pilot during the Korean War.

After honorably serving his nation, he then went on to build an amazing legacy as one of Oklahoma’s best and prolific builders for several decades. He started his career with a bang working with the legend, Frank Lloyd Wright, to build the historical Price Tower in Bartlesville and soon launched his own company J.J. Cook Construction which leaves a legacy of countless building masterpieces across Oklahoma.

His lengthy and impressive resume includes construction projects for universities, hospitals, banks, housing, military and industrial sites, such as University of Oklahoma, Tinker, Norman Regional, Children’s Hospital, and Putnam City Schools, to name a few. He also built many churches with unique architecture like Bethany First Church of the Nazarene. However, his favorite projects were his role in building the Oklahoma City Children’s Zoo and Myriad Gardens.

In his spare time, he loved spending time with his wife, Jeannie, traveling the country (celebrating their same birthdays for the entire month), faithful attendance and commitment to their church, “Metropolitan Bible Church”, and always thinking, tinkering, and building or improving what came across his path. His mind was as active as a 20 year olds up until his last day and we are quite confident he is still building something in heaven.

Although, he was a “Boss/Builder” and expected greatness from others, he was tender hearted, loved his family dearly, and was extremely generous to anyone in need.

He is preceded in death by his father, James Henry Cook, mother Beatrice (Givan) Cook, daughter Carol, sister Veronica, and brother-in-law, Tom Deplois. He is survived by his wife Jeannie, daughter Cara and son-in-law John. Son Jim, daughter’s Janet and Barbie and grandchildren.

Grandchildren Austin, Christian, John and wife Sari, Elijah, and Xela. Great-grandchildren Brexley and another sweet baby on the way. Niece, Nancy Gardener and husband Tony.

In lieu of flowers, one might consider memorial contributions to Metropolitan Bible Church and/or Samaritan’s Purse.