Ralph T. Cooke
Ralph T. "Tom" Cooke, formerly of Terre Haute, IN, Springfield, OH, and Topeka, KS, died Thursday, December 18, 2008, at Mercy Siena Woods of Dayton.
Born April 21, 1925, Mr. Cooke graduated from Garfield High School and Indiana State University before managing AAA Coal Company and being selected as one of the "Most Important Businessmen" in Terre Haute. He was later employed by Colgate-Palmolive in Kansas City, MO, and American Electric Power in Terre Haute and Rocky Mount, VA. After graduate work, Mr. Cooke was employed as an estimator by Six Industries in Springfield, OH, where he rose to the position of vice-president, and later by CAS Construction in Topeka, KS. He also owned and operated Bid Facilitators, Inc., in Topeka. Throughout his career in the construction industry, Mr. Cooke not only loved the work he did, but was also highly respected for his accuracy, integrity, and diligence.
Mr. Cooke also took pride in his military service, having served two and a half years in the United States Army at the end of WWII, followed by several years in the US Air Force Reserves.
Mr. Cooke was preceded in death by his parents, Alonzo and Viola (Dilks) Cooke; his step-father, John Roach; his wife of 54 years, Betty Lou (Okes) Cooke; his nephew, Gregory Reed; and his good friend, Charlie. He is survived by his siblings, Elmer F. "Bud" (Alice) Cooke, Dorothy (Alex) Maxwell, and Mary Lou (Kenneth) Reed; his children, Cynthia Cooke (Tom Schaefer) of Dayton, OH, Anita Cooke (Amasa Miller) of New Orleans, LA, and Christopher Cooke (Teressa Keenan) of Missoula, MT; his grandchildren, Joshua, Samuel and Ayla; his step-grandchildren, Jennifer, Kelly, and Elisa; and many nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren, and friends.
The family wishes to express special thanks to those who have cared for their father/brother/grandfather so professionally, personally, and compassionately: the staffs of Stormont-Vail Hospital and Kansas Rehab Hospital, in Topeka; Spring Hills at Singing Woods in Dayton; Spring Creek Nursing and Rehab in Huber Heights; Hospice of Dayton; and most especially, the nurses, aides, social workers, and other staff at Mercy Siena Woods in Dayton, without whom, Dad's last months would have been much more painful and dull and much less rich, loving, and comfortable. Thanks for making him grin, thanks for giving him your kisses, and thanks for giving him ice cream.
Mr. Cooke was a good man, a nice man. He was honest, industrious, and dependable, and he will be missed. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the charity of your choice or to Mercy Siena Woods of Dayton, OH. Dad gave conscientiously and generously to many charitable organizations throughout the years; your gift in kind would honor his life.
A Memorial Service and reception in Mr. Cooke's honor will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 28, 2008, in the Chapel at Mercy Siena Woods, 6125 N. Main St., Dayton, OH 45415. Interment of his ashes will be at the Dayton National Cemetery in April 2009.
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