Carl E. Cook

Memorial services will be held at 1:30 P.M. Friday, December 18, 2015 at Evergreen Presbyterian Church with the Reverends Joseph L. Johnson and Ashley Drake Mertz officiating and Byrd Funeral Home directing. The family will be receiving friends following the service at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Evergreen Presbyterian Church, Food Pantry, 1103 N. Pontiac Street or Covenant Hospice, 1512 W. Main St., Dothan, AL, 36301.

Mr. Cook was born February 2, 1925 in Florala Alabama to Robert Emmett and Clara Elis Taylor Cook and attended Dothan High School. In 1942, he volunteered for the U.S. Navy amphibious forces. He served 3 years in combat zone in Guadalcanal, the South Pacific and Philippines and served in Luzon Gur rill forces-UAFFE, Zambales Military District-Squadron “D” Headquarters for 4 months, retiring in 1946 with the rank of Gunner 1st Class.

Mr. Cook was founder of Civil Air Patrol Squadron Commander until 1958 in Dothan and was mission commander in 12 U.S. Air Force search and rescue missions during this time. In 1952, he received his pilot’s license and built up over 3000 flight hours. He later flew for P.C. White Truck Line. He loved to fly and owned several aircrafts.

In 1956, he purchased Houston Printing Company, now one of the oldest printing companies in Dothan. He purchased a receipt book business from a firm in Mobile in 1973 which became a new division for Houston Printing, Houston Printing Co. Receipt Book Division, later Cook Receipt Book Manufacturing. In 1993, Mr. Cook sold Houston Printing to his son and in 1999 he also sold Cook Receipt Book to his son.

During his working career he served as an elder and was a member of Evergreen Presbyterian Church. He also served as a trustee and founded the service committee at Evergreen Church which provided food, clothing and help to people that were in need.

Mr. Cook was a founding member and a board member of the Dothan Boys Club. He also founded the ‘big brother program’ which helped boys in need. He received the highest honor the “Bronze Keystone and Service Bar.” He served as Vice-President chairman of the personnel board, as well as treasurer and other offices for over 26 years.

Another project he was involved in was the Habitat for Humanity Program. He was in charge of finances and a site worker. He involved Evergreen Presbyterian Church and they built 8 houses.

In 1976, Mr. Cook founded the first senior citizens center in Dothan, The Dorothy Quick Activity Center, named after the director hired in 1976. Mr. Cook served as president of the advisory council at the center for many years. It continues to operate after nearly 40 years at the original site at Evergreen Presbyterian Church.

He was a past member of the Lions Club, Civitan Club and the Dothan Country Club. He was also a member of the 2007 Alabama Hall of Fame.

He is preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Carol Cook Armstrong, and a brother, Jack Cook.

Mr. Cook leaves behind his wife, Diane Paul Cook; sons, Russell Cook, Mark Cook (Karen) and Scott Cook (Rebecca); brother, Lamar Cook (Doris), sister, Ann Cook; grandchildren, Wendy Donahue (John), Jerry Cook (Sharon), Rusty Cook, Stormy Cook, Mason Cook (Kensie), Chapman Cook, Allen Armstrong (Jennifer), Ada Cook, Cuddy Cook; great-grandchildren, Clayton Donahue, Christian Cook, Carlysle Cook, Hadley Cook and Ellison Armstrong; and several nieces and nephews.

Honorary pallbearers will be Mason Cook, Chapman Cook, Jerry Cook, Sam Vann, Sylvester Griffin, Norbert Wegmann, Steve Townley, Scott Helms and Allen Armstrong.

The family wishes to thank Susie Pew for her constant love and caregiving.

Arrangements under the direction of Byrd Funeral Home, Dothan, Alabama.