Sgt. Major Charles Francis Cook

Charles enlisted in the Marine Corps on Feb. 6, 1948. He did basic training at Parris Island, SC. After boot camp, he was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, NC and he also served in both Korea and Vietnam. He retired from the Marine Corps on Dec. 31, 1976. He was married for over 51 years to his wife Mary, who was also a Marine.

Charles was a devoted husband and father who always put others first. He was never idle and was always helping others. He devoted many hours volunteering his services to his community, family, friends, and to the military organizations for which he belonged. He was unique in his own way; an intellect who loved to learn, make others think, and debate various topics such as politics, philosophy, and religion.

In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Alice Burchfield Cook, his son, Sgt. Charles Dennis Cook who, was also a Marine, and was killed in action in 1983 during the Beirut bombing; three brothers, James Cook, W. Edgar Cook, and Robert Cook; seven sisters, Effie L. Joyner, Evelyn E. Groce, Mary Lee Adams, Edna Cleo Steelman, Lottie M. Bracken, Margaret V. McCaskill, and Rachel J. Barnard; and a special niece, Ruth Irene Sidbury. He is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Ann Cook, two sisters, Martha L. Osterhout and Coleen Y. Parker, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be conducted 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8 at Frank Vogler & Sons Funeral Home in Clemmons officiated by Commander Jimmy L, Myers Chaplin Corps U.S.N. Retired. Entombment and full military rites, provided by the Marine Corps, will follow at Westlawn Gardens of Memory in Clemmons. The family will receive friends Sunday evening, Feb. 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Donations can be made to Percy John Fulton Detachment 1075 Marine Corps League. Online condolences may be made at www.frankvoglerandsons.com.