Obit: Cook, Ray Allen (1933 - 2014)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Cook, Court, Ghenov, Kirkpatrick, Nykamp, Thayer

----Source: The Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 2/25/2014

Cook, Ray Allen (5 AUG 1933 - 21 FEB 2014)

Ray Allen Cook, Waukesha, died Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, at Waukesha Memorial Hospital at the age of 80.

He was born in Unity, Wis. on Aug. 5, 1933, the son of Sewell A. and Marlea B. (Thayer) Cook. On June 23, 1956, he married the former Nancy Court in New London, Wis.

Ray graduated from Unity High School and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He began his science education teaching career at P.J. Jacobs Senior High School in Stevens Point. He continued his education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, graduating with a Master's Degree in Science and Education. Ray taught biology at Brookfield Central High School from 1959 to 1980 and served as chairman of the Science Department from 1977 to 1979. He was presented with the National Association of Biology Teachers Honors Award as an outstanding biology teacher of Wisconsin in 1966. From 1968 to 1970, he taught teacher training students at Kenyatta College near Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa. In 1980, Ray began teaching Human Anatomy and Physiology to Registered Nursing students at Waukesha County Technical College. In 1987, he was honored as the College's Industrial Occupations Division Instructor of the Year. He retired from teaching in 1993.

Ray enjoyed many outdoor activities including working on the family hobby farm. The woodworking projects he made as gifts will be treasured by family for years to come. Serving others through his church, Interfaith Caregivers and many other ways was a large part of his life. Ray was recognized by the Eli Lilly Company and the Joslin Diabetes Center in 1996 for successfully living with Type 1 diabetes for more than half a century. His life is an encouragement to many managing this disease.

Ray will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 57 years, Nancy, Waukesha; and their three children, Cindy (Dr. John ) Kirkpatrick, Appleton; Randall (Ann) Cook, Waukesha; and Dr. Perry (Jean) Cook, Stevens Point. He is the proud grandfather of Kelli (Ronaldo) Ghenov and their son, Judah, Ray's great-grandson, Doylestown, Penn.; Dr. Andrew Kirkpatrick, Omaha, Neb.; David Kirkpatrick, Edinburgh ,Scotland; Erin Cook, Milwaukee; Jason (Melissa) Cook, Wauwatosa; Shannon (Alex) Nykamp, Urbandale, IA; Danielle, Connor and Stephanie Cook, all of Stevens Point. He is further survived by his brother, Dr. Robert (Anna) Cook, Green Bay; along with other relatives and friends.

Ray's greatest loves were the Lord Jesus and his family.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, from 9 a.m. until the time of the 11 a.m. memorial service at First United Methodist Church, 121 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Waukesha, WI 53186. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the church are appreciated. Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning services is honored to serve the family. For further information, please call the funeral home at 262-547-4035 or visit our website at www.waukeshafunerals.com  for directions or to leave the family an online tribute message.