Samuel Lewis Cook Sr.

Samuel Lewis Cook, Sr., age 95, passed away surrounded by his loving family and friends on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Sam was born May 12, 1931 in Roanoke, Virginia to his parents, Russell Henry Cook and Sue Wynn Cook. In high school, he met the love of his life, Frances Thompson Cook. They were married June 10, 1952, and were faithful in marriage for 74 years.

Sam graduated from high school in Roanoke, VA where he was involved in ROTC. He was an avid sportsman especially enjoying wrestling and football. After high school, he attended Virginia Military Institute, now Virginia Tech, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering.

Sam and Frances raised their five children, Jeanne, Laurie, Sammy, Jane, and Rusty, in Memphis, TN. They relocated to Roswell, GA in 1978 where Sam finished his career as an insurance safety engineer. He worked for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and Hartford Insurance Company which afforded them the opportunity to live in several places, but they always considered Virginia home.

Sam was a lifelong learner particularly focusing on genealogy, history, and aviation. He used these to discover as much as he could about the ill-fated Manna Chowhound flight in World War II that claimed the life of his beloved brother, Russell. Sam was also an avid flyer, owning a plane that he lovingly named “Baby”. Sam and Frances loved their time spent flying together.

Nothing brought Sam more joy than time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was affectionately referred to as “Granddaddy”.

The family rejoices in Sam’s testimony that he trusted Jesus for salvation as a child, but through the testimony and loss of his wife in May of this year, had rededicated his life to Christ at the age of 95. Frances’ “mission field of one” is now with her in the presence of the Lord.

The family wishes to thank his and Frances’ caretakers over the last two years. Our deepest gratitude is for Tasha, Sam’s “A-#1 caretaker”, as well as for Bridget with Affinity Hospice for their kindness shown in these final days.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Sue Cook, his wife Frances Cook, brothers Russell and Bill Cook, and sister Mildred Jofko. He is survived by his twin sister; Sally Cook, children; Jeanne (William) Cook of Austin, TX, Laurie (Jim) Cook of Denver, CO, Sam Jr. (Becky) Cook of White, GA, Jane Cook of Portland, OR, and Rusty (Stephanie) Cook of Tyrone, GA, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Sarah (Harrison), Emily and Elias (Matteo and Sammy), George, Hannah and Ben (Winnie, Boone, and Beau), Rebekah and Chaz (Rose, Charlotte, and Joseph), Sam and Courtney (Eleanor and Emmett), Ben, and Daniel.

A Celebration of Sam's Life will be held at 2pm on Sunday, October 4,2026 at Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Drive, Cartersville, GA 30120.

A private internment will follow at Evergreen Burial Park, Roanoke, VA.