- Date Of Birth: January 15, 1939
- Date Of Death: June 8, 2016
- State: Georgia
If one were to ask James Michael “Mike” Cook about his life, he would most likely say that his life on earth was as good a life as any for which a person could hope.
On June 8th, though that all changed very suddenly as Mike’s temporary life here was suddenly changed into life everlasting with the God who created him and to whom he had devoted a lifetime of service and obedience. The earthly journey for Mike began in rural Chambers County Alabama where he was born on January 15, 1939.
He was the son of James Fillmore and Velma Gertrude Hammock Cook. They, like so many others of the day, had left farming for work in the textile mills that blanketed the region. In search of a better life, his family left Alabama when he was seven years old and moved to Clayton County, Georgia where he would receive his education and spend the next 60 years. It was there in high school that he would be hopelessly smitten by a cute young lady for whom he immediately pledges his intentions and spent the next 58 years in blissful happiness. Mike was employed by Clayton County as a fleet maintenance mechanic working on any and everything with a motor. He loved his job as a mechanic and even after retirement was always available for a driveway consultation for anybody with a car problem. A man of resolute faith, Mike was a member of Franklin Church of God and an enthusiastic Gideon. He reveled in time spent with his family (especially if there was a beach trip involved). His lawn and gardens were a testament to his love of nature and plants. Even during the last 16 years when he moved to rural Heard County, he loved to be in his yard planting flowers even though he and his family might be the only ones to see them.
He is survived by his precious wife Joyce Bradford Cook. He was an exemplary father to Eddie Lamar Cook and his wife Ann, David Alan Cook and his wife Jonna, and Gregory Scott Cook. He was the proud grandfather of Shane Cook and his wife Stephanie, Thomas Cook, Dana Cook, Sam Cook, Glenn Walker, and Jennifer Walker. He has four great-grandchildren by marriage Madisyn Tedder, Brayden Tedder, Hayden Walker, and Harrison Walker. His delightful great-granddaughter is Makenzie Cook.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Phillip Cook. His surviving brothers are Larry Cook and Joel Cook.
