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Clarence Leon Cook, Jr., 61, of Matthews, NC, passed away peacefully on December 18th, 2012.
Leon, or “Junior” as he was known to his friends, eventually succumbed to the cancer that he courageously fought for nearly 10 years. He was surrounded by his loving friends and family at the time of his passing.
Leon was born in Greenville, Texas on March 2nd, 1951, to Leon Sr. and Maron Cook. He often liked to remind everyone that he shared his birthday with Texas Independence Day. Leon graduated from Garland High School in 1969, where he served as Senior Class Vice President, was voted “Best All Around”, and was a letterman in tennis. He then attended the University of North Texas, where he achieved a BA in History and a Minor in English in 1973. Leon was married to his college sweetheart, Ellen, in September of 1974. They remained happily married until the day of his departure.
Leon was employed for nearly 40 years by AEP Industries. In 1993, he and his family moved from Dallas, TX to Matthews, NC, where he served the company as the national inventory control manager. Leon and his family found their church home at Matthews Presbyterian Church, where he was elected as an Elder, and served on several committees, including the Stewardship, Finance, and the Capital Campaign Committee that successfully raised funds for a new sanctuary. He was also instrumental in developing the church’s initial Acolyte program, and found joy volunteering his time to a program that provided local homeless individuals with a meal and a place to sleep on cold nights. Leon and Ellen joined St. Matthew Catholic Church of Charlotte in 2008, and remain as members today.
Leon enjoyed spending his free time maintaining his yard and garden. He was an avid music fan, and particularly liked the Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel. He was fortunate enough to catch performers such as Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and The Rolling Stones in small venues before the height of their popularity. Leon remained a true fan of the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Longhorns, and Texas Rangers. In 1989, Leon had the foresight to take his family to the baseball game in which Nolan Ryan achieved his 5000th strikeout in Arlington, TX. Leon also loved the beach and ensured at least one family vacation to the coast every year.
Leon was a devoted husband, father, Papaw, and friend. He will be greatly missed, but will live on in the hearts and minds of every life he touched.
Leon is survived by his wife, Ellen; mother, Maron Cook of Broken Arrow, OK; son, Travis Lee Cook of Wrightsville Beach, NC; daughter, Maegan Williams and husband Brian of Sneads Ferry, NC; granddaughter, Sara Williams; sisters, Mary Williams and husband Doug of Broken Arrow, OK, and Sarah Duncan of Mesquite, TX; and several loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Clarence Leon Cook, Sr.
A memorial service and celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 5th, 2013, at 11:00am at the Matthews Presbyterian Church in Matthews, NC.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Stand Up to Cancer, or the Levine & Dickson Hospice Care Center.
The family would like to sincerely thank the entire loving staff at the Levine & Dickson Hospice Facility in Huntersville, NC for the comfort and care they provided, and Carolina Cremation for their helpful assistance.
Carolina Cremation of Salisbury, North Carolina is assisting the Cook family. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinacremation.com.
Barney Parkey says
So sorry to hear of Leon’s passing.We had some wonderful memories at MPC.My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.May God be with you at this difficult time.
Barney Parkey
JoAnn Coleman Willingham says
Please accept my sincere condolences. Junior was an all around good guy. I went to Jr High with him and graduated with with him at GHS class of 69. He will be missed. Rest in Peace, old friend.
Ken Sprecher says
My sympathy to the Cook family. Junior was a good friend from high school who I knew would be successful in life.
Tommy Lasater says
Ellen and family…Sorry to hear about Junior. He was well liked and will be missed by all. I know your family has some wonderful memeries. Remember the good times. May God bless you
Bronnie and Patricia Helton says
To both of us, it’s like losing a family member. Friends like Junior are extremely rare. Leon was one of the kindest and most compassionate persons we have ever met. Words cannot describe the loss we feel, but somehow find solace that our friend is no longer suffering. May God bless Ellen, Travis and Maegan, and give them the strength that Leon would want them to have.
Carolyn Cockrell Musgrave says
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Cook family. I was also a classmate of his at Garland HIgh School (class of 1969). I remember his kind nature and beautiful smile. “Death is not a period, but a comma in the story of life”.
Karin Williams says
From your extended family in New Jersey, we will always remember Junior as a kind, gentle, and caring man who always thought of others. Our hearts and minds are with you all now as you grieve and heal.
Kyle & Glynda Young says
We are heart-broken with you at this time, but we can also rejoice knowing where Junior is and that he is now finally free of cancer and pain.
Ellen, Maegan & Travis, please know that our thoughts, and our prayers are with each of you.
We love you and miss you all,
Kyle & Glynda
Rick Fowler says
Junior was a great friend during highschool who continued on to be a great man. RIP my brother.
Deborah Colbert Lumsden says
My Heart goes out to Ellen, Travis, and Maegan…along with other Family and Close Friends~! I knew “JR” as teenagers from our first days at JR High to our last at GHS…what a Beautiful Spirit and Soul…that shined right through his smiling eyes~! A rare one among so many…with a huge heart for those he loved~!
As this chapter closes, for Leon, I know that he is stepping up his Spiritual Ladder to a Higher Realm~!
As you release this loved one back to His Creator, know there is support and an out pouring of Love, for each of you, that will not fade…but is Everlasting and Eternal, as is our Love of JR…Rest in Peace, you have earned your wings, old friend~!
Clyde and Carrie Hensley says
Ellen and family We were so sorry to hear about Leon….Such a nice man…May God surround you with his love and care…The Hensley Family Clyde and Carrie
Tony McEwen says
Condolences to the Cook family. I didn’t know Leon Cook well but I know that he raised two great children that will carry on his legacy.
My thoughts and prayers are with you Travis and Maegan.
Dave Bayko says
Travis and family. I am so sorry to hear of Leon’s passing. Leon was a brave kind hearted person that always offered great advice. He will truly be missed. Our family’s thoughts and prayers go out to your family.
Clint and Meagan Maddox says
We are sorry for your family’s loss.
Clay and Lynn Lewis says
Our condolences to Ellen, Travis, Maegan, and the Cook family and friends. Leon was a good man who was always great company. May God be with you as you grieve for his loss.
Richard Wolf says
Travis and family. Betsy and I are very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts go out to you and your family. Travis every time I watch a Mets game I always KNOW my dad is watching with me. Same will go for you. Your dad will be with you in our heart and mind always.
Hang in there buddy
Bill Howald says
Hey Jr. It’s me Bill – just a note to let you know Travis and Megan are taking real good care of Ellen but that’s no suprise.Bronnie Jim Particia Mary and Judy are on the plane to see everybody
Remember that time we went to the Drive In for the World Preimere of True Grit and John Wayne and Glen Cambell stood on the connsession stand to tell everyone to enjoy their new picture.How many miles have we walked in Garland,usually you Bronnie and me for parties or aimlessly it did’nt matter And goal line stance in your front yard.All the football and baseball games we played for many years.So many tennis matches
Remember the time it was so cold at Texas Stadium and Ellen was pregant with Travis we watched the second half at home
So many card games and those softball teams with all those crazy guys
Guess I’ll go now
You are in our hearts and memories forever
Your are my dear friend
Love Bill
Michael & Debra Williams says
Cook Family and Friends,
We loved him dearly and will always carry his smile, warmth and genuine caring for others in our hearts.
We have been in the valley and know there are no majic words to relived your paing. What we do know is the effect of a phrase xtracted and modified rom the poem, ‘REMEMBER ME’.
“You can close your eyes and pray he comes back or you can open them and see all he has left behind for you.
Love always, Mike and Debbie
Debra Shwiff says
Ellen,
It has been so many years since I have seen either you or Junior, don’t even know if you will remember me from Denton days (friend of Jan Bryan), but how could anyone ever forget the beautiful soul that shined so brightly through Junior’s eyes. I am so sorry for your loss, but relieved in knowing that you too shared such a beautiful love for all these years. My deepest condolences to you and your children.
Debra Shwiff