John Washington Cook, 89, died Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at Athens Regional Medical Center in Athens, Georgia in the comfort and care of Gentiva Hospice.
Born August 22, 1925 in Sharon, Georgia, Cook was the son of the late Mary Atha and James Cook. He was an honor graduate of Monroe High School and served in the United States Army stationed in Yokahama, Japan during World War II. A 1950 honor graduate of the University of Georgia's College of Agriculture, Cook was active in the American Dairy Science Association and the Saddle and Sirloin Club.
Returning to Walton County following graduation, Cook entered the dairy business in a partnership with George Baker. He quickly accepted leadership positions including president of the Walton County Farm Bureau, president of the Walton County Dairy Association, and Director of the American Dairy Association. Cook owned and operated Cookway Farms from 1958-1973, earning numerous awards for production while accumulating a prized herd of registered Holsteins.
Selling his farm in 1973, Cook continued his career with the University of Georgia in the Poultry Science Department of the College of Agriculture. He retired in 1991.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years, Ina Claire Queen Cook of Bogart, GA; four children: James Lee Cook and his wife Pam of Atlanta, GA, Ina Cook Hopkins and her husband Jim of Athens, GA, Joy Cook Coleman and her husband Phillip of Atlanta, GA, and Jon Barry Cook and his wife Elaine of Bogart, GA; seven grandchildren: James Lee Cook, Jr. and his wife Bowen, John McDonald Cook, Ashley Hopkins Baughman and her husband Kyle, Phillip Renal Coleman, Jr. and his wife Brighton, Patrick Ryan Coleman, McKenzie Claire Cook and Jack Wesley Cook; and four great-grandchildren: Reid Harrison Baughman, Brooks Robert Baughman, Emery Anne Baughman and Eloise Summerour Cook. Mr. Cook was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Floyd Cook and Herbert Cook and his sister Edna Cook Brooks.
Visitation will be held Saturday, May 30, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. at Lord and Stephens West, 1211 Jimmy Daniel Road, Watkinsville, GA, followed by a funeral in the chapel at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Dr. Dean Milford officiating. Honorary pallbearers include Kyle Baughman and grandsons Patrick Coleman, Phillip Coleman, Jack Cook, James Cook and John Cook. A private family interment will be held at Evergreen Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mr. Cook's name to the Georgia 4-H Foundation at 307 Hoke Smith Annex, Athens, GA 30602.
Lord and Stephens, WEST, is in charge of arrangements.
Visitation Details
Saturday, May 30th, 2015 1:30pm - 3:00pm, Lord and Stephens, WEST
Service Details
Saturday, May 30th, 2015 3:00pm, Lord and Stephens, WEST
Interment Details
Evergreen Memorial Park