Dick Cook

Odell Ruthford "Dick" Cook, 77, of Jackson passed away Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born March 1, 1936, in Patton, Mo., son of Rufus and Myretta Graves Cook. He and Amy McCaleb Smith were married June 27, 1998.

Dick graduated from Patton High School in 1954.

He enlisted in the United States Navy and retired Jan. 31, 1978, as an aviation maintenance chief.

He taught at Perryville Vocational School a year, and worked at Procter & Gamble from 1980 until retiring in 1997. He was an avid Brace Beagle field trial trainer, with four field champions. He regularly attended and supported New McKendree United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church of Jackson. Dick was a member of Millersville Masonic Lodge and Cape Shrine Club.

Loving survivors include his wife, Amy of Jackson; two sons, John Cook of St. Louis, Mark Cook of Cape Girardeau; three stepchildren, David (Lisa) Smith of Batesville, Miss., Michael Smith of Indianapolis and Julie (Tim) Bowden of Marshfield, Mo.; a stepgrandson, Michael J. Gundy of Marshfield; two brothers, Rufus Cook Jr. of Tacoma, Wash., and Bob Cook of Sedgewickville, Mo.

He was preceded in death by two daughters, Deborah Sue Cook and Dana Marie Cook; a brother, Paul Dean Cook; and a sister, Jessie Faries.

Friends may call from noon to 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. A Masonic service will be held at 1:30.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jimmie Corbin officiating. Interment will be in Russell Heights Cemetery, with full military honors.

Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital, New McKendree UMC or First Baptist Church in Jackson. 

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at mccombsfuneralhome.com.