Charles Allan Cook, 70, of South Charleston, Ohio passed away Thursday, April 13th, 2017 at Dayton VA Medical Center. Cook was born to the late Charles Glendon and Doris Jean (Elkins) Cook in Springfield, Ohio on February 27th, 1947, the oldest of 6 children. He graduated from Southeastern High School in South Charleston, Ohio in 1965.
Cook was a Vietnam veteran serving in the U.S. Navy from 1966-1970. He received three combat metals, three unit services metals, and five service organization pins. He had many veteran friends and was a member of several veterans’ organizations, including the VFW, American Legion, Marine Corps League, AMVETS, and Vietnam Veterans of America.
After his military service as a Navy Hospital Corpsman, he built a career as a respiratory therapist. Later in his career he worked as a traveling respiratory therapist, a job that took him to several states. He spoke often of the places he most loved, including Savannah, GA, Greenville, SC, and Beaumont, TX. Toward the end of his career he moved back to Ohio to help care for his Grandmother, then subsequently his mother. After retirement, he moved to South Charleston where he resided until his death.
Cook is remembered as a proud veteran and as an attentive brother, son, and grandson. His joyful laugh, keen sense of humor, and his pride in military and country will never be forgotten by those that knew him. He had a strong desire to help people, which he did often, and he cared for several homeless pets that he adopted throughout his lifetime.
He is survived by four sisters, Roberta (Cook) Gereg, Vanessa Cook, Melanie Cook, and Cynthia Cook, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother, (Glendon) Keith Cook.
A memorial service, with full military honors, will be held 1:30 PM, Thursday, April 27, 2017 at Dayton National Cemetery. Entombment will follow.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans at www.dav.org/donations.
The family has entrusted Oliver Floyd Funeral Home in Greenville with the arrangements.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.oliverfloyd.com
