James Andrew Cook 1934-2005

BURKE, COOK

Posted By: michael (email)
Date: 10/24/2005 at 09:21:29

Loving, caring, and sharing for God, Family, and Friends was the true passion of James Andrew Cook’s life. This wonderful, generous, and kind-hearted husband, father, and grandfather died peacefully of complications from heart surgery at Mercy Hospital on October 22, 2005, with his loving family by his side. On a sunlit bright autumn day, the Lord called Home one of his greatest and most faithful servants.

A Funeral Mass to celebrate Jim’s life will be Wednesday, October 25, 2005 at 10am at St. Mary’s Church with the Rev. Ken Kuntz officiating. Burial with military rites by local military organizations will be at St. Joseph Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 7:30pm, Tuesday at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, where the Marquette Council #842 Knights of Columbus will recite a rosary at 5:30pm and a Parish Vigil Service will held be at 7pm. A luncheon for family and friends will follow the committal service at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Memorials may be directed to the Regina Inner- Parish Catholic Education Center or the Knights of Columbus Building Fund.

Jim, of 2506 East Court Street, Iowa City, was born December 22, 1934, on a farm in rural Elkader, Iowa, to Merlin and Marie (Burke) Cook. He completed a one-room schoolhouse education in Marion #7 Rural School Clayton County and graduated from Elgin High School at the age of 16. He then served a tour of duty in the Korean War before pursuing his B.A. in Secondary Education at Loras College in Dubuque. He furthered his educational pursuits by obtaining Master’s degrees in Guidance & Counseling and Mathematics from the University of Iowa, and eventually obtained his PhD in Educational Administration from the University of Iowa.

Jim married the love of his life, Alta Margaret Duffy, on December 26, 1964. The couple had recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. They had three children…Celeste, Christine, and Robert…who were the pride and joy of their father, whom he loved dearly.

During his lifetime, Jim was a devoted educator for 37 years in mathematics, teaching over 5500 students. He first taught at Valley High School (Clermont, Elgin, Wadena) for one year and then taught for 2 years at Marmac. He then moved to the Iowa City Public Schools where he taught for over 30 years at locations including Southeast and City High School. In 1970, Jim took a sabbatical leave where he received a grant from the Iowa State Education Association and was named as a recipient of an ISEA fellowship. He received KGAN’s Golden Apple Award for Outstanding Education in 1990 along with his wife. In 1995, Jim retired, and soon after became an adjunct Professor at Kirkwood Community College.

Jim was an active and dedicated member of St. Mary’s Church serving as a Eucharistic Minister and a Greeter. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus for 50 years acting in various positions, one being Grand Knight of the Marquette Council #842. He was also actively involved in the Regina School Systems as the first president of the Regina Band Boosters, past President of the Regina Athletic Boosters, a continued board representative, and a coordinator of the annual Pork Dinner for the Fall Fun Festival. Jim continued his devotion to supporting children through his participation in the Optimist Club where he was heavily involved with oratorical contests. He also acted as a coach for the Iowa City Girls Softball League and the Iowa City Boys Baseball League, bringing his enthusiasm to the youth of the community. He was a lifetime member of Iowa City Educators’ Association, the Iowa State Education Association, and the National Education Association. He was also a member of the Retired Teachers’ Association where he acted as past president. Jim also was an active member of Opus Dei.

Jim enjoyed the outdoors and obtained the degree of Master Gardner along with completing a Tree Stewardship Program. His caring for nature and all God’s creatures was apparent whether it was his nursing a baby bird back to health or leaving nuts out for the squirrels.

Jim’s retirement years were spent visiting the family farm in rural Elkader, hunting for walnuts and mushrooms, supporting church fundraising dinners, attending and serving at daily Mass, visiting his mother in the nursing home in Sumner, supporting all of the Knights activities, and playing with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his precious wife, Alta, of Iowa City; two daughters, Celeste Vincent (Dave) and Christine Chambliss (Mark) and their children Katrina and Blake, all of Iowa City; one son, Robert Cook (Beth) of Des Moines and children Wesley Klein-Cook and Collin Cook; his mother, Marie Cook of Sumner; a sister, Jeanine Matt (Ralph) of Sumner; two brothers, Dennis Cook (Mary) of Waterloo and William Cook (Deanna) of Des Moines; numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Merlin Cook, and a grandson, Brandon Cook.

On line condolences may be directed to www.lensingfuneral.com