Charles Cook

Charles Cook passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at Autumn Care of Waynesville after a short illness. Charles was born on February 14, 1931 in Haywood County to the late Hobson and Dora Russell Cook.

In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by three brothers, Hoyt, Boyce, and James Robert (Dink).

He is survived by his loving wife, Patsy Leatherwood Cook; three sons, Greg Cook (Jenny) of Brownsburg, IN, Brent Cook (Debbie) of Rutherford College, NC and Scott Cook (Teresa) of Waynesville. He was Grandpa to his six beloved grandchildren, Spencer, Caroline and Brody (Greg), Carrie (Brent), Colby and Caden (Scott).

Charles was a family man, and a faithful and devoted member and leader of Maple Grove United Methodist Church.

Charles graduated from Waynesville Township High School and served in the Army during the Korean War. He worked in the research department of American Enka/BASF for 40 years. He was married to the love of his life, Patsy, for 63 years.

Charles was a great outdoorsman. He was a hunter and an avid trout fisherman who tied his own dry flies and traversed dozens of mountain streams with grandchildren and friends. It was often said that his limit of trout would flop out to the truck to greet him before he could get in the stream. He loved camping and enjoying others’ company around a fire. He was a spinner of great tales, the magnitude and embellishments of his stories expanding with each version. Being charged by a wild boar as he fished and the awakening of a hibernating bear were two hair-raising favorites. Spring brought about the planting of his garden and he shared the bountiful harvest with all who would take it.

Charles never missed an opportunity to recognize the beauty surrounding him. He spent his last years under the shade of his big oak tree, on the hill at the top of his garden, out in the woods by “his honey bees”, or on the front porch with Patsy, admiring the fields and the mountains dotting the Carolina Blue sky.

His quick wit and quips never failed to make you laugh. He was a shining light of positivity to all those around him and treated everyone he came across like family.

Charles’s life, light and legacy will continue to shine on in the lives of his friends and family.

A visitation will be held at Maple Grove UMC at 2 pm on Friday, February 23 with a funeral service following at 3 pm.

Memorials may be made to Maple Grove United Methodist Church (79 Maple Grove Church Road, Waynesville, NC 28786), Friends of the Smokies at https://friendsofthesmokies.org, or The NC Wildlife Resources Commission at https://www.ncwildlife.org/donate

The care of Mr. Cook has been entrusted to Garrett Funeral Home of Waynesville.

A message of comfort may be made to the family at www.garrettfuneralsandcremations.com