Kermit Clair Cook (2016)

COOK, COOK NORTH, COOK-CUNNINGHAM, KILROY, RODRIGUEZ, NORTH, CUNNINGHAM, YOUNG

Posted By: Mary Welty Hart (email)
Date: 6/25/2016 at 16:30:29

Fuller Funeral Home
Naples, Florida
Wednesday, June 22, 2016

KERMIT CLAIR COOK, Naples, Fl.

Sep 25, 1931 - Jun 21, 2016

Kermit C. Cook, 84, of Naples, Florida passed away peacefully on June 21, 2016.

Kermit was preceded in death by his parents Emmett and Gladys Cook, brother Keith Cook and his grandson Christian North.

His wife of 62 years, Vanna Cook, continues to be touched by his patience and grace even in his passing.

A kind, generous, and selfless man, Kermit, is also survived by his 5 children, Lori Cook North, Sheri Cook-Cunningham, Jennette Kilroy, Jim Cook, and Jon Cook. He brought love and inspiration to the lives of 11 grandchildren who were all blessed to share their lives with him. Nicole Rodriguez, Adam North, Erin North, Alissa Cunningham, Daniel Cunningham, and Margaret Cunningham, Ciara Kilroy, Liam Kilroy, and Catherine Kilroy, Madelyn Cook, and William Cook, and great-grandchildren, Lily North, Gram North, Jack Rodriquez and Jules Rodriquez, each have indelible memories of their grandfather who they know loved them greatly. He forever trusted and believed in his son in-laws, Kevin Cunningham, Dave Kilroy, and Jim North.

Born in 1931 in Elkhart, Iowa, his life spanned a period marked on one end by depression-era America in rural Iowa to an era of iphones, and ipads of his beloved grandchildren. Kermit and his two brothers, Keith and Kenneth, and his sister Kathy grew up in Winterset, Iowa in a time only he could bring to life with his vivid stories and tales of a simple childhood long ago. The eldest son of Emmett and Gladys Cook could not have imagined as he slept above his parent’s garage with the windows wide open to the vastness of the Iowa summer sky how the world would change in his 84 years. Yet he connected with young and old his entire life because he cared to listen, he cared to let all those in his life burden him with their troubles, and because his honest and straightforward advice guided his grandchildren, his children, his son in laws, and others when they needed him the most.

Kermit’s life inspired his family to share and pursue their passions, take care of their children, and take their work seriously. He graduated from Simpson College with a BA in business in 1954 and then made certain to teach his children the value of a formal education and the value of pursuing knowledge throughout their lives. Kermit retired as a vice president of the Hon Company in Muscatine, Iowa in 1993 after 39 years of service to the company and through this commitment taught his children the value of hard work. While at Simpson College he played football and ran track and engendered a love for sports, physical activity, and of course bicycling to his children and grandchildren. He always had a genuine interest in the things that mattered most to his children and grandchildren.

Kermit’s final gift to his family was his eternal love and devotion to the love of his life his wife Vanna, because in this love and commitment no greater display of sacrifice and selflessness can be found.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 25 at the Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church in Naples, Florida.

Memorial contributions in honor of Kermit Cook may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Support Network at 660 Tamiami Trail N., Suite 21, Naples, FL 34102