Vernon E. Cook II died October 12, 2020 at the Veterans Hospital following a COVID-19 illness at the age of 83. He was born November 16, 1936 to Vernon E. Cook and Lelia Hahn Cook, both of whom are deceased. He attended Casady School, where he lettered in baseball and football and in 1954 he was awarded the outstanding Senior Award. One year at Yale and then on to Oregon State University 1955-1959 where he was president of his fraternity, Beta Theta Pi, member of the National Scholastic Fraternity and was named outstanding Senior Man. From 1959-1962 he served in the military, retiring as Major in United States Marine Corps Reserve. Returning to Oklahoma he joined the family business Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Home where he was known throughout the City and State as a leader in the funeral business. He also worked for Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, The Methodist Foundation and Putnam City School Foundation and was a Certified Fund Raising Executive. During the last few years Vernon traveled the state promoting fund raising. He was a gifted speaker.
He held Board positions in Sunbeam Home, American Red Cross, OMRF, OKC Symphony, one of the Organizers of the Pops Concerts, Oklahoma Planned Giving Council, Seventy Five Club, National Society of Fund Raising Executives, Chairman of Board at Western Oaks Christian Church for 3 terms, Elder 1 term and taught Life’s Lessons Sunday School Class for 11 years.
He is survived by his wife Sandra Ille Cook of 43 years. One son, Bennett Cook and wife Mary Ellen (Dubuque, Iowa), one step-son, Jimmy Ille and one step-daughter, Judi McDown both of Oklahoma City; Grandsons, Elijah Cook, Christopher Hartman Ille, Mason McDown and Mason Sharp; Granddaughters, Evelyn Cook, Mikayla Sharp and Tobi McDown, and family. Preceded in death by his son George Cook and son-in-law Larry McDown.
Vernon truly enjoyed the out-of-doors. He loved the mountains of Colorado and friends in Crested Butte, fishing in his row boat at Lake Tenkiller and getting up very early in the morning. These memories will be forever special to family members and guests at the Lake.
The family wishes to express sincere thanks to The Mansion at Waterford and Norman Veteran’s Center for their dedicated support during his stay…and listening to his Marine stories.
Services will be 3:00 p.m., Friday, April 30, 2021 at Western Oaks Christian Church in Oklahoma City 8100 NW 23 St., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73127. A live stream of the service will be available at https://vimeo.com/event/908275 as well as https://www.facebook.com/woccdoc.
The family requests memorials be made to the Vernon and George Cook Memorial Fund at Western Oaks Christian Church, 8100 NW 23rd St., OKC, OK 73127 and sincerely thank you for your caring, support and love and prayers.
