Joseph Earl Cook, born Jan. 16, 1924, died Tuesday, July 2, 2010 surrounded by his devoted family.
He served his family, country and community with leadership and honor. He was raised in Foley and was a longtime resident of Nashville, and was a resident of Daphne at the time of his death.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He enlisted November 1942 and at the age of 20 was commissioned as a naval aviator May 1944. He served in the Pacific before being honorably discharged as a lieutenant junior grade. He received the Navy Air Metal and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions during the first wave invasion of Okinawa in the spring of 1945.
After his military service, he graduated from Auburn University and served as the President of Theta Chi Fraternity. In 1958, he served as district manager of South Central Bell Telephone Company in Mobile. He transferred to Nashville and retired in 1985 as an assistant vice president with 36 years service with Bell South Telephone Company. He was a trustworthy and faithful leader in his community and church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude Glenn Cook and Vinnie Leal French Cook of Foley; and brother, Claude Glenn Cook Jr. of Marietta, Ga.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Joy Imogene Thompson, a native of Bay Minette; three children, Glenn T. (Julia) Cook of Birmingham, Gale C. Colvert of Daphne and James T. Cook of Spanish Fort; five grandchildren, Jessica C. (Samuel) White of Falls Church Va., Joseph B. (Lauren) Colvert of Nashville, Matthew C. Cook of Spanish Fort, Dawson S. Colvert Jr. and Joel T. Cook, both of Nashville; and two great-grandchildren, Collin G. White and Charles M. White of Falls Church, Va.
Graveside funeral services were held Wednesday, July 7 at Pine Rest Memorial Park in Foley.
The family requests memorial donations be made to Eastern Shore Presbyterian Church PCA, 23050 U.S. Highway 98, Fairhope, AL 36532 or Grace Fellowship Presbyterian Church PCA, 19470 County Road 6, Gulf Shores AL 36542.
Arrangements are by Pine Rest Funeral Home Inc., Foley.
