James "Jim" Melvin Cook

Jim was born on October 10, 1940 in Charleston, WV and moved to Oakridge, TN at the age of three, where his dad was employed as a shift superintendent with the Union Carbide K-25 gaseous diffusion plant and it’s participation in the Manhattan Project. He lived a glorious life as a youngster growing up in Oakridge and had the privilege of attending outstanding schools. Playing football for Jefferson Junior High School and the Oakridge Wildcats, left him with great memories and a life-long friendships with his fellow Wildcats. He graduated from MTSU (Go Big Blue), with a B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering.

In fulfilling his military obligation, Jim served with the National Guard for six years, where he was a radio specialist.

Jim became an employee of American Lava, GE, and 3M, and said that he worked for three different companies without leaving the building. He was the company’s Employees Relations Manager and retired as a Production Supervisor. He compiled the company newsletter, and enjoyed the bowling and golf leagues. Golf was a hobby that was lifelong and many friendships were formed with his “golfing buddies”. He looked forward to the yearly “Killer Minner” golf trips to Florida, as well as local golf tournaments. Jim also enjoyed the golf games with his Senior Friends at Lupton City Golf Course. He made a hole in one at the Moccasin Bend Golf Course.

Jim was a true “Vol for Life” as he started attending the games as a Cub Scout and continued throughout his life. He also admired the Green Bay Packers and Vince Lombardi. As a little boy, he would listen to football games while lying down in the front seat of his dad’s car. Jim coached his son’s football team, who participated in the “Grasscutters League” and served as “team mother” in the dugout for his daughter’s solfball team at Dupont-Rivermont. Watching his daughter participate as a member of the Hixson High Marching Band and his son playing football for the Hixson High Wildcats was memorable.

Crossword puzzles and “Quote-Acrostics”, and “Jumbles” became daily activities. In late life, entertainment consisted of John Wayne movies, westerns and Turner Classic movies. He enjoyed viewing Vol football and the men and women’s basketball games.

Yearly family reunions gave him a chance to display his “whip smartness” in playing Trivial Pursuit.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Clara Evelyn Oakes and Melvin “Meb” Cook, his sister, Bettye Cook Herd (James F. Herd).

He is survived by his brother, David (Sally Armstrong) Cook, his high school sweetheart and best friend, “Ginny” Virginia, to whom he was married to for 54 years, daughter, Jennifer and son, Jim (April Stoddard) Cook, sister-in-law, Sue Miller Portwood of Georgia and brother-in-law, Larry (Jean Freeman) Miller of Oakland, TN, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Jim was a devoted husband and father, who loved deeply, had a terrific wit, was loyal to friends and family, and had a mighty work ethic and lived his life as his Dad taught him to “do the right thing” and Bent over, ready to go to work when the whistle blows”. He will truly be missed by many.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 15, 2021 from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm, followed by a Celebration of Life service honoring Jim’s Life at 2:00 pm in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jim’s memory to the Pat Summitt Foundation at Find A Cure For Alzheimer’s/The Pat Summitt Foundation or at 520 West Summitt Hill Dr., Suite 1101, Knoxville, TN 37902, and Alzheimer’s. Thank you.

Fond memories and expression may be shared at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com

We respectfully request that "social distancing" and all CDC measures be followed.

Happy trails to you, 'til we meet again. Roy Rogers

Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Hwy. 153, Hixson, TN 37343.