Ronald R. Cook

Ronald Ray Cook, age 88, went to be with his Lord Tuesday, December 7, 2021. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Johanne Cook; parents Fred and Alice Cook; brothers Harold (Carol) Cook and Donald Cook; and great-granddaughter, Esther Hope Pierson.

Ron will be lovingly remembered by his wife of seven years, Dorothy H. Cook; sister-in-law, Donna Cook; and children Fred (Kathy Van Zytveld) Cook, Brad (Jeanne Oosterbaan) Cook, Lee (Mary Goffe) Cook, and Jean Alice (Jon) Van Den Beldt. He will also be lovingly remembered by his grandchildren Leanne (Scott) Gurley, Ron (Erin) Cook, Emily (Preston) Pierson, Sam Cook, Alex Cook, Brian Cook, and Liz Cook; great-grandchildren Stewart Gurley, Fred Henry Gurley, Greyson Cook, Charlie Cook, Sawyer Cook, Bennett Cook, Evelyn Pierson, and Olivia Pierson; many nieces and nephews; Dottie’s sons Lawrence (Susan) Hall, Douglas (Jane) Hall, Bruce (Shelley) Hall; and Dottie’s grandchildren.

Ron was born in 1933 alongside his identical twin and best friend, Don, and he graduated as a three sport athlete from Wyoming Park High School where he met his wife, Jo. He worked for the family block business, carrying the bricks that built the building which later became Cook Funeral Home in Grandville. After the death of his father at a young age, Ron knew that he wanted to serve grieving families with compassion and empathy.

Ron and Jo opened Cook Funeral Home in 1957 after his graduation from Grand Rapids Junior College and Wayne State University, his service in the U.S. Army, and the birth of his oldest son, Fred. The funeral home expanded under the leadership of Ron and his sons, and in 1989, Ron opened Byron Center Manor to provide a home for seniors. Ron was a devoted husband, caring for Jo during her long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. After her passing, Ron remarried, and Dottie was a wonderful partner during the final chapter of his life.

Ron was a man of faith. He found comfort in the idea of predestination and believed that the blessings he enjoyed and the hardships he endured were all part of God’s plan. Ron loved fishing on Barlow Lake and off the coast of Anna Maria Island, Florida and hunting at Cook’s Camp in the U.P. He made many friendships throughout his life with his charming, outgoing personality. Ron was loved dearly, and while he will be missed, his memory will live on through his family, friends, and all the lives he touched.

Visitation will be held from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, December 12, 2021 at Cook Funeral Home in Byron Center (2067 84th St. SW) and from 3-6 p.m. Monday, December 13 at Cook Memorial Chapel in Grandville (4235 Prairie St. SW). Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday, December 14 at First Reformed Church of Grandville (3060 Wilson St. SW), with visitation one hour prior. Rev. Matt Cook will be officiating. Interment will be at Grandville Cemetery.

In honor of Ron, contributions may be made to the First Reformed Church of Grandville Scholarship Fund or the Alzheimer’s Association. The family welcomes memories and messages in the online guestbook at cookcaresbyron.com.