Joseph Paul Cook

Joe was the eldest of four “Cook kids” and graduated from Eastwood High School as part of the bi-centennial class of ’76. Joe shared his father’s (Charlie) love of camping, fishing, working on cars and for a brief time, riding motorcycles. Thanks to the introduction by Joe’s Mom, Ramona, Miss Becky Wyrick of Belen, NM came into the picture in 1983. The setup stuck, and Joe and Becky married on Saint Patrick’s Day in 1984 (lucky Joe!!) and proceeded to work on continuing the Cook family line. Joe and Becky lived in Clint, Texas near the family pecan farm. Daughter Tressa and soon, son Josh, hit the scene much to the delight of the Cook and Wyrick grandparents.

Joe worked to support his family on the railroad with Southern Pacific and later Union Pacific, making runs into south and west Texas as Switchman and then Conductor, for more than 30 years. Joe was active in the union and worked hard as an advocate for other area railroad employees, serving as the Local’s Chairman for several years. He enjoyed taking trips to Laughlin, Nevada with Becky, and family fishing trips to the mountains over the years.

Joe continued to work with Charlie and Ramona on the family “JRAM (Joe-Roni-Anna-Michael)” pecan farm and eventually moved his family there. Joe established a neighborhood Fourth of July tradition with a big annual party, including friends, food, fireworks, and celebratory cannon fire. The family Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays were not complete without his homemade and DELICIOUS pecan and pumpkin pies.

After retirement from the railroad, Joe was challenged with a number of health issues. He endured many hospitalizations and treatments over the years. Hospital staff commented that Joe was a good patient and he bounced back after numerous procedures, including a three-year fight with leukemia.

After retirement, Joe enjoyed entertaining his three lively granddaughters with scooter trips, tractor rides in the orchard and reading books to them. Trips included visiting daughter Tressa and her family in Houston, and a big trip to New York City in 2016. A final fishing weekend with Becky and nephew Butch in Arizona, in June 2021, is extra special in retrospect.

Family and friends will all miss Joe’s easy going way and his readiness to have a good talk. One of his visiting outlets was the annual Kids & Kows & More for which he volunteered for more than 12 years. In visits with Joe, one would learn his religious preference was “retired Catholic”, which always resulted in a chuckle. Son Josh says he will miss their late afternoon, front porch BS and adult beverage sessions.

Joe is survived by his wife, Becky, daughter Tressa Sumners (Daniel) of Houston, TX, son Josh Cook (April) in El Paso, three granddaughters, Abby and Stella Sumners, and Riley Cook, mother, Ramona Page Cook of El Paso, sisters Veronica Cook (Russ) from Ahwatukee, AZ and Anna Dyson (Miles) of Las Cruces, NM, and brother Michael Cook of Houston, TX. Lucy the dog was his loyal farm companion on his many trips around the orchard while phoning friends and enjoying the serenity of the farm. Joe is preceded in death by his father Charles Edward Cook. The family knows these two loving “Papas” are having a big ‘catch up’ session in heaven, Charlie was Joe’s biggest fan!

Burial with graveside services will be held at the Evergreen East Cemetery, 12400 East Montana, El Paso, TX 79938, in east El Paso on December 17, 2021 at 11am. A reception will follow on-site after the services.

The family requests that, rather than flowers, any desired donations be made to the Reynolds Home, 8023 San Jose, El Paso, TX 79915, 915-274-2598 at www.ReynoldsHome.org.