Tributes to Cleo Earl Cook

        At the very first Cleo and Ruth Cook Family Reunion held in August 1997, we wrote tributes to our husband and father, Cleo Earl Cook.  I thought it would be appropriate to share those tributes along with some pictures of Dad.  Hope you enjoy.

Tribute to Cleo Earl Cook

by his wife

Ruth Elizabeth Proctor Cook

     He had fun as a kid and also as a teenager.  He never did anything to shame his parents, as he honored his father and mother and showed respect to his brothers and his sisters.  When we went to dances, he always danced with each one of his sisters who were at the dance, besides the girl he took to the dance.

Cleo, Melba, Reva, Vendetta, Leora, Theola, Lila, Verla, Carl
Seated: Agnes, insert Virgil, James, Lena, and Edna Cook

     He was a loving and thoughtful husband.  He also made a lot of friends.  I never ever heard Cleo run anyone down in anyway.

Carl, Cleo, Lena (Grandma Cook), Reva, James (Grandpa Cook) Leora
Theola and Melba

     How he loved to fish and hunt.  He always called me his darling and he would kiss me good night after we said our prayers.  When he left the house to go to work he always would kiss me goodbye and say, “I love you, Ruth with all my heart.”

Cleo with some of his fishing buddies

     He was a good and loving father to his children.  He was always there for them and supported each one in the things they did.

Back:  Theron, Lois, Cleo, Ruth
Front:  Kay, Frank, Darrel and Joyce Cook

     Cleo honored his church callings and did them the best he could.

     He was a good worker on the farm.  While working on the high power line in Hardin, Montana, we lived in Lovelle, Wyoming.  He also drove one of the moving vans for Westergard Transfer and Moving Company.

     He took some of the grandkids for a ride in his motor boat.  He made sure they wore life jackets and sat where he told them.

      He loved his grandchildren.  He told me it made him feel very special when they called him Grandpa.

Seated on couch: Craig Cook, Lynette Wilson, Ruth holding Cari Cook, Cleo holding Ryan Wilson and Shelli Cook
Seated on floor: David Cook, Shannon and Brian Berrett

     When Cleo was called to his Heavenly Home, he had 14 grandchildren, now he has 41 counting the mates of the grandchildren who are married.  I count them as mine for they married either one of my grandsons or granddaughters.  Cleo and I will have 21 great grandchildren before the end of this year—1997.

Cleo and Ruth

     We have had 10 grandsons go on missions and the 11^th goes out in August 1997.  Then number 12 will go out next year.  How proud we are of all our grandsons and granddaughter and great grandsons and great granddaughters.  We have surely been blessed.

Ruth and Cleo