Services for Allen Earl Cook, 83, of Tyler are scheduled for Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at 2:00pm at West Erwin Church of Christ with Jack Paul and Mark Edge officiating. Burial will be at Lee Cemetery in Winnsboro, Texas at 4:30pm, under the direction of Beaty Funeral Home.
Mr. Cook died on Monday, October 6, 2008 in Tyler, Texas.
Allen was born on March 30, 1925 in Brownfield, Texas to Guthrie Allen Cook and Vina Bryant Cook. In 1929 his family moved to San Antonio, Texas where he attended Breckenridge High School. In 1943 Allen joined the U.S. Marine Corps and after proudly serving his country during World War II he went to work for General Motors in the Chevrolet Motor Division in Dallas, Texas. In 1949 while in Dallas he met and married Wanda Hollon. In 1960 the Cook family moved to Winnsboro, Texas where Allen purchased the Chevrolet dealership. For thirty- five wonderful years he served his church, the community of Winnsboro and anyone he found in need.
Above all else he loved the Lord and was a faithful servant to him for many years. Allen served the Winnsboro Church of Christ first as a deacon and then as an elder. Allen truly believed he best served his Lord by serving others.
When Allen moved to Winnsboro, he immediately became involved in the community. Allen served the city of Winnsboro through the Chamber of Commerce as board member, then as President of the Chamber for two terms, was on the City Council for 4 years and as mayor of Winnsboro for two terms. During his tenure as mayor he made vast improvements by securing land and building a new city hall, building a new city auditorium, contracting water for the city from Lake Cypress Springs, building a multipurpose building for senior citizens, and building a new sewer plant. Allen was also Chairman of the Board for the Sherwood District of Boy Scouts of East Texas and a board member of Friends of the Library. Allen received the honor of Man of the Year in 1983.
Early in his life Allen exhibited his love of family by loving and caring for his mother and siblings and continued throughout his life with the same love and care for his wife, children and grandchildren. Allen was known throughout his life by the joy in his smile and whistle.
Allen is survived by his wife Wanda Hollon Cook of 59 years, three daughters; Sandra Turner of Bay City, MI; daughter and son-in-law Nancy and Jeff Chandler of Little Rock, AR; daughter and son-in-law Judy and Gary Mitcham and son and daughter-in-law Tommy and Donni Cook all of Tyler; brothers Kenneth Cook of Winnsboro and Paul Cook of El Paso; a sister Mary Cook of Bullard, 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by a sister LaVerne Johnson and a grandson Justin Turner.
Pallbearers will be nephews Steve Cook, Mark Cook, David Cook, Barry Cook, Brandon Cook, and Michael Day. Honorary pallbearers will be Carl Davis, E.D. Ellenburg, Pat Patterson, Sonny Guess, Nelson McCord, T. Joiner, Gene Chandler, Lee Ray and Tommy Parrish.
Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at Beaty Funeral Home in Winnsboro, Texas from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Memorials may be sent to the Boles Home, Quinlan, Texas, Christian Services of East Texas and Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.