Paul was born November 14, 1940 to Wayne and Edith Cooke in Duluth, Minnesota. Paul went home to be with Jesus on November 19, 2023. He passed peacefully with his loving wife Susan by his side at their home in Temple, Texas. Paul and Susan married on March 20, 1982 in Oklahoma City, OK.
He retired in 2006 after 42 years in education and counseling. He had three graduate degrees including a doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of Nebraska. GO BIG RED! He was a school administrator, teacher, counselor, college professor and mental health therapist ranging from here in Texas to Oklahoma, Nebraska and the South Pacific Island of Tonga where he met Susan. Most recently he was a counselor at Killeen Ellison H.S. and for Milano ISD. He was also an adjunct professor at Temple College for 14 years. He was a member of the National Education Association, the Texas Retired Teachers Association and a member of Bethel Assembly of God in Temple. His publications include articles in the Journal of Mental Health Administration and the Journal of the Nebraska School Board Association. He also published a booklet about testifying in court for mental health professionals and wrote a report on the status of education on the island of Tonga. Education and counseling was his life’s work touching many lives along the way.
His hobbies included reading books, collecting stamps, coins, comics and sports cards. He loved watching movies and shows with his “Honey” Susan along with sailing on cruise ships and taking trips around the world. He always did his best to let his children and grandchildren know they were loved through greeting cards for every occasion.
Paul is preceded in death by his parents Wayne and Edith; sister Jeanne Pearson; and Sally Chipman, his former wife and mother of his children David, Pam and Brian.
He is survived by his wife Susan; children Michael (Claudia) Cooke, David (Allison) Cooke, Pam (Michael) Hemmerly and Brian (Ellen) Cooke; grandchildren Caitlyn, Hannah, Braelen, Lucy, Palin, Leighton and Isabella; brother Phil (Sandy) Cooke; brother-in-law Jim Pearson; and nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Saturday, December 2nd from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. followed by service at 12:30 p.m. The family will receive friends and family at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home, 3220 South 31st Street, Temple, TX, 76502.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crawfordbowerstemple.com for the Cooke family.
