Obituaries

Eugene William Cook

Photo of Eugene William Cook
Eugene "Gene" William Cook, 84, of Jefferson City, passed away Friday, March 4, 2011, at Capital Region Medical Center. He was born July 13, 1926, in Montrose, the son of the late Steven and Loretta (Kaumans) Cook. He was united in marriage on June 27, 1953, to Darles Robertson, who resides at the home. Gene served in the United States Army, 4th Engineering Battalion, during the Korean Conflict, 1950-1952. He was a salesman in Clinton, Springfield, Sedalia and Jefferson City. He was an active member of the Jaycee's in Clinton, the Optimist Club in Sedalia and Springfield, the Knights of Columbus in Sedalia, the J.C. Marriage Encounter in Jefferson City, and the Knights of Columbus Bishop McAuliffe Council No. 12992 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph. Gene enjoyed traveling with friends, especially spending time at the family cabin at Branson. He was an avid do-it-yourselfer and a good neighbor, friend and story teller. He is survived by six children: Michael (Janine) of Laurel, Md., Kevin (Annette) of Jefferson City, Kathy (Darrell) Berendzen of Brazito, Joe (Barbara) of Columbia, Becky (Mike) Moody of Windermere, Fla., Cindy (Todd) Witzigman of Springdale, Ark.; 13 grandchildren: Cristin and Kyle Berendzen, Andy Cain, Jacqueline, Denis, Alan and Anna Cook, Michelle and Alex Moody, Kyle Witzigman, Nicole, Stephanie and Kevin Almora; eight great-grandchildren; and three brothers: Bob, Ralph and Bill Cook. He was preceded in death by one brother, Cecil. Friends will be received from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday at the Houser-Millard Funeral Home, where a prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 7, 2011, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, with Monsignor Robert A. Kurwicki and Fr. Steve Cook officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow in Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Alzheimer Association, 2400 Bluff Drive, Columbia, MO 65201; or the J.C. Marriage Encounter, c/o Britt and Candy Smith, 215 Boonville Rd., Jefferson City, MO 65109. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, 636-3838. Condolences may be left for the family online at millardfamilychapels.com

Published March 6, 2011