Heywood Cook

Heywood “Tommy” Cook – 81

Passed away Tuesday, March 7, 2006 at South Georgia Medical Center after a lengthy illness. Born in Berrien County August 14, 1924, he was the son of Lige and Vercie Harrell Cook. He grew up and resided in Lanier County until his service in WW II. Mr. Cook served as a scout, pointman and expert marksman. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, he went in on the Utah Beach invasion with the first army, 4th division, 8th infantry, company L, 1st platoon, 1st squad, first in line to set pace. He was the third man to step foot on Utah beach. In Washington DC, 1949, he was presented the Silver Star for gallantry in action at the Battle of St. Lo France, July 1944, by President Harry Truman. His other medals included the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct, American Campaign, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign, WW II Victory, Combat & Expert Infantryman Badges and he wore the Honorable Service Lapel Button. He assisted in the liberation of two concentration camps and was wounded five different times while serving in the Battle of Cherbough and in battles in France, Belgum and Germany. His last battle was in Hurtgen Forest where he suffered a disabling leg injury, December 19, 1944. Following his return from WW II, Mr Cook attended and graduated from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College as a master mechanic. He then moved to Hastings, Fl. where he was employed by John Deere as District Supervisor for all of Florida, South Georgia, South Alabama. He was a deacon of Mt. Olive Baptist Church there for 30 years. Upon retiring from John Deere after 35 years of service, he returned back to Lanier County. Mr. Cook was a member of the Masons, Board of Veteran Affairs, Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans DAV and Purple Heart Chapter. He was preceded in death by his son, Tommy Heywood Cook, sister, Lennie Cook Corneilus, and brother, Howard Cook.

Survivors Include: Wife, Shirley Marchant Cook, Lakeland, Children; Betty Sue Orr, Chicago, IL, Brenda Thucker, Chicago, IL, Thomas Kendall Cook Donna, Ray City, GA, Grandchildren; Laura and Barbara Orr, Thomas Cook, Jr., Kimberly Cook Bennett, Michael Thucker, Travis Cook, Sr., Tonya Cook, Jennifer Cook, Randy Wilkes, and Rome Wilkes, Great Grandchildren; Annabelle Cook, Travis Cook, Jr. and Hanna Bennett, Sisters; Louise Burkhalter and James Burkhalter, Lakeland, Beatrice and Roy Thornton, Lakeland, Brother, Lige Bud and Helen Cook, Jr., Lakeland
Daughter-in-law, Melinda Cook Johannasen, Starke, FL

Funeral Services were held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, March 10, 2006 in the Knights Memorial Baptist Church with burial following in the Empire Cemetery.

Music Funeral Services of Lakeland is serving the Cook family.