Larry Cook, age 83, died on Monday, November 26, 2018 at his
home in Meridian, Idaho.He was born on August 16, 1935 in Ponca City, Oklahoma to
Tom W. and Anna Belle (Myers) Cook, he was the oldest of four children. He lived on a farm in Uncas, Oklahoma that
his grandparents homesteaded during the Cherokee Strip Run. The family eventually moved to “town”, Ponca
City. He played baseball and was a “Whiz
Kid” on the local radio and started working at age 13 to help support the family.
After graduating from Ponca City High School, he enrolled at Oklahoma State
University and eventually joined the Air Force.
He was stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base where he met the love
of his life, Betty Burtch. They were
married on January 23, 1958.
The couple started a family while Larry worked and finished
his Bachelor of Science degree in Physics at The College of Idaho.
After graduating in 1962, Larry went to work
for IBM where he spent 29 plus years working in Field Engineering Management.
During his tenure at IBM, the family moved 5 times between Idaho, New York and
California. He retired in 1991, and he embraced his new life by doing building
projects, travel, fishing, golfing and enjoying his family. He was incredibly
dedicated and loyal to his family and friends.
He is survived in death by his wife of 61 years, Betty
(Burtch) Cook, his children, Mike (Tami) Cook, Liz (Dave) D’Ambrosio, and Katie
Cook; his grandchildren; Ben (Shelby) Cook, Tara D’Ambrosio and Alyson
D’Ambrosio; his great-grandchildren; Madison Cook and Isabella Cook; his sister
Annette Duffy and his brothers Chris Cook and Bill Cook.
He was preceded in death by his parents Tom W. Cook and Anna
Belle Cook Ewy and his grandson, Scott Cook.
A family gathering will be held at the Idaho State Veterans
Cemetery to celebrate his military service on December 7,
2018 at
2PM.
A memorial service will be held at Alden Waggoner Funeral
Chapel on December 8, 2018 at 10AM.