Sherwin Tom Thomas Cookingham

COOKINGHAM, Sherwin Thomas “Tom”, age 83, of Grand Blanc, died Wednesday, July 18, 2012. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 21, 2012 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 11804 S. Saginaw Street, Grand Blanc, Fr. Ken Coughlin celebrant. Mr. Cookingham will lie in state at the church at 9:30 a.m. The family will also receive friends Friday, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hill Funeral Home, 11723 S. Saginaw Street, Grand Blanc. A Rosary service will be held Friday at 7 p.m. Military Honors and Committal Service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, July 23, 2012 at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Big Rapids, Michigan. Tom was born on January 3, 1929 in Big Rapids, son of the late Edward and Teresa (Brown) Cookingham. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during WW II and had retired from G.M. – Buick Motors as a supervisor. Tom was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Council 6742 of Grand Blanc. He loved to golf and enjoyed taking flying lessons as well as dance lessons. He was active at Hurley Fitness Center. Tom is survived by his loving wife Phyllis, sons Ray (Kathleen) Pagan and Garry (Dorrie) Pagan, step daughters Lynn (John) Newmyer and Gail (Michael) Gooch, grandchildren Sarah (Jeff) Simpson, Courtney Kazaroff, and Carey (Connie) Pagan, and step granddaughter Lauren(Cory) Milliken. Tom is also survived by several great grandchildren and cousins, as well as his beloved dogs Kingsley and Jessie. Along with his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his first wife Violet and a twin brother, Elwin. Donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project or the Genesee County Humane Society. The family would like to thank Theresa and Kelly and the staff of Avalon Hospice, as well as Tom’s caregiver Amy and all of the staff at McCandlish Manor. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.hillfh.com.