Norman Hansford Cook

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, dedicated Christian, and friend, Norman led a life of hard work, servanthood, integrity, and quick wit.

Norman was born in School Land, Texas and grew up in Nixon, Texas with his brother Neal and sister Maxine. They had many animals on their farm and family gatherings were common. Upon completing high school Norman worked for the railroad in San Antonio, Texas until he served in the Army from 1953 to 1955 where he spent time abroad in Germany in non-combat support services working on helicopters. He was honorably discharged in 1955.

After completing his schooling in 1957 at Spartan College of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma Norman began a 36 year career in Aircraft Maintenance with Delta Airlines in Dallas and San Antonio, Texas. Norman met his bride, Dolores at First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas and they were married in Slaughter Chapel on June 12, 1959. Norman and Dolores lived in Richardson, Texas from 1959 to 1980, where their daughter, Lorri Lynn was born in 1961. They were members at First Baptist Church Richardson, Texas where Norman served on many committees and was ordained as a Deacon.

In 1980 Norman and Dolores relocated to San Antonio, Texas where they lived for 35 years and were members at First Baptist Church of San Antonio serving in various Ministries, on committees, and working at the 4th Street Inn, a Ministry of FBCSA. Norman retired from Delta Airlines in 1992. He then began working at Aircraft Technologies in San Antonio, Texas part-time for 22 years.

In 2015 Norman and Dolores moved to Longmont, Colorado to be close to their daughter, Lorri, son-in-law, David, and granddaughter, Emily. Since 2020 Norman and Dolores enjoyed their home at The Village Co-Operative in Longmont, where he served on committees, gardened, and made great friendships. He enjoyed spending time with his wife adventuring in the Colorado Mountains. While his roots were in Texas and he frequently expressed missing good tamales, he loved the Colorado Mountains and fishing for trout in the Colorado waters.

Norman could fix anything, could cook a mean brisket, and could grow a garden that would make any gardener’s mouth water. Besides his professional life, Norman’s greatest pride was his family and finding ways to serve others. He and Dolores were in consistent attendance at all of their grandchildren’s extra-curricular activities for many years. He was Granddad to so many. He took great satisfaction in supporting and watching the lives of his daughter, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews unfold.

Norman was preceded in death by his parents, Bessie Neal and James Henry Cook, his brother, Neal Cook, his sister, Maxine Clayton and her husband Harold Clayton, his nephew, Bruce Clayton, great-niece Amy Clayton and other beloved family members.

He is survived by his wife, Dolores Cook, his daughter, Lorri Cook Koctar, his son-in-law, David Koctar, his grandchildren, Lance Wilson and wife Nancy, Forrest Wilson and wife Katia, and Emily Wilson, his great-grandchildren Ava Wilson, Ember Wilson, and Charlotte Wilson, nephews Glenn Clayton and wife June, Allan Clayton and wife Miriam, Lisa Scofield and husband Reid, Ruth Scofield and Holly Scofield, Eric Clayton, Beth Clayton, Matthew Clayton and wife Macee, Addison Clayton, and Clark Clayton, and other beloved family members

Honoring Norman’s wishes, a Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date with the family. Any donations in memory of Norman can be made to First Baptist Church of San Antonio, T.V. ministry.

Though he is no longer with us, his legacy lives on in his ways of servanthood, the work he completed, and the family he loved and nurtured. He will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him.