Bob Cook

BOB COOK Tupelo - Bobby Joe Cook, 82, passed away Sunday, March 9, 2014, at his home. Born April 30, 1931, in the Auburn Community to Thomas Blanchard "T.B." and Verlie Christian Cook. Bob graduated in 1949 from Tupelo High School, and in 1953 he graduated from Mississippi State University with a BS in Civil Engineering. He was an active member of First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and in other capacities. After college he joined the Air Force as a 2nd Lt., and after his discharge, he returned to Tupelo where he joined his brother as a principal of Cook Coggin Engineers, a general civil engineering firm established in 1946 that continues to serve state and county governments, municipalities, rural communities, and industry. Bob also served as the president for Mississippi Engineering Society and was an active member of the Lions Club. He never lost his love for Mississippi State and remained a loyal supporter. He married Rebecca Marlin on May 31, 1953, and they had recently celebrated sixty years of marital bliss. A very kind and generous man to many, Bob was very active with his family and loved spending time with them. Most often he could be found golfing, grilling, making model airplanes or fishing. He had a big heart for his pets. A celebration of his life will be 2 p.m. Thursday, March 13, 2014, at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Chad Grayson, Rev. Ricky Young and Rev. David Jensen officiating. A graveside service will follow at Auburn Cemetery. W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors will be in charge of the arrangements. Survivors include his wife of sixty years, Rebecca "Becky" Cook of Tupelo; three children, Jennifer Smothers (David), Mark Cook and Ellen Cook Gore (Joseph) all of Tupelo; three grandchildren, Dr. Brian Smothers (Dr. Melissa Smothers) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Joseph Smothers (Kristen) of Tupelo and Cayla Cook of Tupelo; three step-grandchildren, Dana Adams (Eric) of Mantachie and Michael and Danielle Gore both of Tupelo; one great-grandchild, Judah Marlin Smothers; ten step-great-grandchildren, Tyler, Sadie, Gauge, Destyn, Korbin, Jeremy, Karlee, Marlee, Jonathan and William; his mother-in-law, Mamie Marlin of Tupelo; two sisters-in-law, Mary Agnes Cook of Tupelo and Sandra Shapard of Albany, New York and one brother-in-law, Hugh Marlin of Birmingham, Alabama. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Lorraine Cayson and one brother, Leland B. Cook. Pallbearers will be Dr. Danny Dickey, Jack McFerrin, Stanley Williams, Dr. John Bryson, Bill Smothers and Carson Neal. Honorary pallbearers will be Phillip Long, Merle Claunch, Elmer Clark, Harold Christian, Don Christian, Jimmy Christian, L.T. Beene, Harold Richburg, John Ray Beasley, Mac Thomas, Leon Beene and the members of Terry Byers's Sunday School Class of First Baptist Church. Visitation will be 4 - 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, 300 North Church St., Tupelo MS 38804, or to the Cook Coggin Engineers Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 6149, Mississippi State, MS 39762.