R.J. Cook

R.J. Cook, 87 a resident of Clovis and formerly of Fort Sumner, NM died Friday, August 2, 2002 at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis following an illness. He was born July 20, 1915 in Cross Plains, TX to the home of Marvin and Alma (Crownover) Cook. His family made their home in Fort Sumner in 1926. R.J. attended and graduated from Fort Sumner High School then attended Eastern New Mexico University for a short time. He married Margueritte Bowlin on December 16, 1942 in Fort Sumner. R.J. served two years with the U.S. Army during World War II. Following his honorable discharge he returned to Fort Sumner where he operated R.J. Cook Oil Company Inc. for many years. R.J. also ranched north of Fort Sumner for many years. He was actively involved in his community where he was a past member of the Fort Sumner School Board, Rotary Club, NM Petroleum Marketers Association, BPOE Lodge Clovis/Portales and the Fort Sumner and Clovis Mounted Patrol. R.J. loved horse racing, rodeos, visiting with his friends at Sundance Steakhouse and spending time with his wife and family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother who will be dearly missed by his family and friends. R.J. was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters Frances Lawrence and Marie Ayers. Survivors include his wife of 59 years Margueritte Cook of Clovis; a son Gary W. Cook and wife Jeri of Clovis, NM; a daughter Brenda Stockton and husband Benny of Portales, NM; one brother Kenneth Cook and his wife Frances of Moriarty, NM. Also surviving is a brother-in-law Kenneth Ayers of Tucumcari, NM; an uncle and aunt E.J. and Helen Crownover of Fort Sumner, five grandchildren Seth W. Cook, M.D. of Waco, TX; Amber C. Cook of Amarillo, TX; Paige N. Cook-Smith and husband Mike of Amarillo, TX; Zachary J. Cook of Albuquerque and Kasey R. Stockton of Las Cruces, NM. Graveside funeral services will be held at 4:00 P.M. Sunday, August 4, 2002 from the Fort Sumner Cemetery with Rev. Jim Peabody officiating. Pallbearers will include Mike Bailey, Rusty Cook, F.B. Willis, Henry Saiz, Carl Williams, Tommy Williams, Louie Erramouspe, Eddie Benton, Floyd Davis, and Paul Stradley. Honorary bearers will be all of R.J.’s friends and acquaintances. The family prefers memorials to the NM Boys Ranch in memory of R.J. Cook. Visitation hours will be Sunday from 10am to 3pm at Chavez Funeral Home 804 North Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, New Mexico.