Joseph William Cook, Jr.
Joseph William Cook, Jr. died on April 20, 2024, at Dominion Senior Living of Hixson, with family by his side.
He was 96 years old and blessed with a relatively sound body until the last few months, and a sound mind until the very end. Joe, or GrandJoe to his family, is survived by three children, Wynne Brady (Dennis), Jay Cook (Tammy), and Pattye McNally (Steve). He also has two grandchildren, Callie Harney (Anthony) and Ellie McNally, and two great-grandchildren, Barrett and Cannon Harney.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Bette Cook, or Gummie to her family, who he obediently followed since their marriage in 1953. He was also predeceased by his sister, Nancy Morgan.
Joe was born on Nov. 26, 1927, in Chattanooga, to Joseph W. Cook, Sr. and Flora Taylor Cook, and graduated from the University of Chattanooga in 1950. He was drafted into the Army as the Korean conflict began and served two years at Fort Jackson, SC, where his typing and language skills probably saved him from the Korean meatgrinder. As a Corporal and Company Clerk of the Headquarters Company, 8th Infantry Division, Joe had the unending task of processing recruits into a mobilizing Army as well as processing the casualties who returned home. Shortly after discharge from the Army, he married Bette Sylvia Bobo, whom he met at work. Bette and family happily defined his life for the next seven decades, and they eventually retired to Bette’s old homestead in Falling Water.
Joe worked for Sears Roebuck and Co. in downtown Chattanooga and then transitioned to running the data processing department at Volunteer State Life Insurance Company. He took the “Tab Department” from punch cards to magnetic tape to digital storage, attending early IBM training sessions in New York and elsewhere. Many of Joe’s lasting friends came from this time with Volunteer, and he relished talking about them until the very end. Joe and Bette were also completely devoted to Hixson United Methodist Church, serving on several trips as mission workers to the refugee camp in Tilaran, Costa Rica during the Contra Wars, and also as church representatives to the Holston Annual Conference at Lake Junaluska. This church continued to minister to Joe as his health declined. His family is grateful for this unending love and loyalty.
When the meek inherit the earth, GrandJoe will be first in line. He was a thoughtful, quiet, humble, and gentle man, but also loyal and tenacious when it came to the defense of his family, coworkers, and friends. We will miss him, but it was time. Bette has plenty of assignments for Corporal Cook in heaven, and he will be delighted to once again comply.
Joe and Bette will be buried at the Chattanooga National Cemetery. A private service will be conducted at that time, but please consider making a donation in their memory to Hixson United Methodist Church, 5301 Old Hixson Pike, Hixson, Tn. 37343.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory, and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, Tn. 37343. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com