CUSHING, Okla. — Gary L. Cook, 72, of Cushing, Okla., went to be with his heavenly Father on June 18, 2011. 
Gary was born February 28, 1939 in Hoisington to William and Beatrice Cook. He was a 1959 Hoisington High graduate. He married his high school sweetheart, Lorene Schmidt, on November 26, 1961.  The couple had two children, Kayla Cook Ussery and Kevin Cook.
Gary was employed by Exxon Mobil for 32 years and retired in 1996. Exxon took him from Hoisington to Perryton, Texas, and finally to Cushing, Okla.  Gary made many wonderful friends along the way.  He loved camping, fishing, hunting and spending time with family. He loved tending to his garden and sharing his tomato crop with friends. He was a kind-hearted man with a wonderful personality who would do anything to help his family and friends. Gary was a wonderful brother, husband, father and grandfather.  He was greatly loved and will be missed by many.
He is survived by his wife, Lorene Cook, of the home; a daughter, Kayla Ussery and husband Troy, Allen, Texas; two grandchildren, Austin and Madison Ussery; a brother, Don Cook, Hoisington; two sisters, Betty Hicks and Rosemary Schmidt, both of Hoisington; and his loving dog Ginger who was always by his side.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Beatrice Cook; a brother, William Cook Jr.; and a son Kevin Cook.
A celebration of Gary’s life is scheduled at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 22 at Matthews Funeral Home Chapel located at 601 S. Kelly in Edmond Okla. Gary will be laid to rest at Memorial Park Cemetery in Oklahoma City. Family will receive friends at Matthews Funeral Home 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 21.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA, 90266.
 
Funeral arrangements provided by
Matthews Funeral Home
601 S. Kelly
Edmond, OK, 73003
405-341-2787
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 21, 2011