John David Cook Jr.

John was born November 27, 1935 in Eudora, Arkansas to parents, Lila and John. He passed December 20, 2023 at the age of 88 years, after an 11 year battle with cancer.

As a youngster he idolized his parents and followed his father hunting and fishing in the lakes, ponds and bayous along the Mississippi River in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. He remained a sportsman for most of his life and at one point held the Oklahoma State Record for large mouth bass.

Although he loved being an outdoorsman, his real prowess as a young man was on the football field. He was an exceptionally talented running back and his hometown newspaper referred to him as "Number 7, the pride of Eudora!" His talent earned him a full scholarship to play running back at the University of Arkansas.

After graduating from the University with a degree in Business Administration, he served in the US Army, stationed for much of his service at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas and Fort Polk, Louisiana. He joked that his only war wound was an ankle he twisted while carrying beer downstairs at the officer's club.

John was always very personable and well-liked with a smile and kind word for everyone. And he applied his affable personality, discipline from his military service, scholastic knowledge from the University, patience from hunting and fishing to a very successful career with the Texaco Oil Company.

John was in marketing for Texaco for 36 years, working in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas and Arkansas. He prided himself on being a hard worker and after retirement from Texaco he applied his knowledge and enthusiasm for hand tools to a new job at Lowe's, working in Grove, Oklahoma and Russellville, Arkansas.

John was married to the love of his life, Peggy Ann for 37 years, living in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Jacksonville, Arkansas, Grove, Oklahoma and finally Russellville, Arkansas.

John loved his children, three rambunctious sons and two wonderful daughters. As a father, he provided guidance even during their adult-hood but gave them room to grow into their own lives.

He is survived by wife Peggy Ann (Lewis) Cook, daughter Kathy J. Hardacre, daughter Patty J. Smith, son Gregory Vincent Cook, son Victor Gerald Cook, son John David Cook III, granddaughter Kalli Jordan (Smith) Tate, granddaughter Katlyn Nicole (Smith) O'Bryant, grandson Kade Hunter Smith, granddaughter Elise Nicole Hardacre-Probus, grandson Matthew Tyler Houghton, granddaughter Colleen Patricia Albert and grandson Gregory Elias Albert.

John was predeceased by father John David Cook, Sr, mother Lila Beatrice Cook, sister Mary Alice (Cook) Fallis, and sister Vivian May (Cook) Hubert.

Arrangements by Cornwell Funeral Home and River Valley Cremations in Dardanelle. Online Guest Book and Condolences at www.cornwellfuneralhomes.com