Kenneth W. Cook

Kenneth W. Cook, 94 of Portales, NM died Monday, April 1, 2013 at Roosevelt General Hospital following an illness. He was born August 12, 1918 in Big Spring, Texas to the home of Marvin and Alma (Crownover) Cook. He was raised and attended high school in Fort Sumner, graduating in 1936. He attended a junior college in Ventura, California before enrolling at San Jose State University where he received a BA degree in Business Administration. While at San Jose State he was a member of the football team, playing guard and place kicker. He was recently inducted into the San Jose State Football Hall of Fame. Kenneth married Frances West in Fort Sumner, NM on March 5, 1943. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps for several years as a pilot instructor. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. Kenneth and Frances remained in California where he managed the Ventura County Fairgrounds for several years, he also worked a "shoeing horses". They returned to Fort Sumner for a few years where he served a a bookkeeper during the construction of the Diversion Dam north of Fort Sumner. In 1952 he purchased an oil company in Clovis, NM. He operated Cook Oil company until his retirement in 1984. While living in Clovis he was a member of the Elks Club and Rotary. Kenneth and Frances moved to the ranch near Moriarty, where they made their home for many years. After Frances passed away in 2007, Kenneth moved to Portales. Kenneth is preceded in death by his wife, his parents, a brother R.J. Cook, two sisters Frances Lawrence, and Maria Ayers. Survivors include a daughter Teri Hare and husband Ted of San Antonio, TX, two sons Ken Cook Jr. of Albuquerque and Rusty Cook and his wife Chris of Portales, NM, a grandson Reagan Hardwick and wife Lori of Denver, CO, three granddaughters Kendra Strube and husband Beau of Andrews, TX, Sarah Foraker and husband Justin of Lubbock, TX and Erika Cook of Dallas, TX, also surviving are three great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. The family requests memorial contributions in Kenneth's memory to the Fort Sumner Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 180, Fort Sumner, New Mexico 88119. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Thursday, April 4, 2013 at First United Methodist Church in Fort Sumner with Rev. Mike Stahl officiating, burial will follow in the family plot, Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Charlie West, Mike West, Bill West, Mac Dan Winn, Billy Wertheim, Carl Hahn, and Joe Lopez. Honorary bearers will be Jerry Wertheim and all his many friends. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, NM. (575) 355-2311. To place an online tribute or sign the guestbook please go to www.chavezfunealhome.com