John Henry Cook

John Henry Cook, age 50, was born on December 8, 1963 in Iowa City, Iowa and departed this life suddenly on June 28, 2014 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.


John entered the military on August 6, 1982 as an Indirect Fire Infantryman and served in that field for 5 years and 2 months. Then he was assigned as a Power Generation Equipment Repairman and served that field for 10 years and 11 months. He then was given the Indirect Fire Infantryman position again and served another 3 years and 9 months and retired on August 31, 2002.



John received many awards, medals, and commendations including the Army Commendation Medal, 6th Oak Leaf, Army Achievement Medal, 4th Oak Leaf, Good Conduct Medal, 5th Knot, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, Non-Commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 2, NATO Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon 3rd Award, Saudi Kuwait Liberation Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal-Government of Kuwait, Expert Infantryman Badge, Air Assault Badge, Driver and Mechanic Badge. John was promoted to Staff Sergeant on May 1, 1997.



John served 1 year in Korea, 2 years in Panama, 3 years in Germany, and spent his last 12 years of service at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait December 1990 through May 1991 for Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm and deployed to Somalia August 1993 through December 1993 for Operation Restore Hope.



John was united in marriage to Pamela Jean Dennis on April 6, 1989 in El Paso, Texas. Two children were born to this union. They lived in Oak Grove, Kentucky for many years and had recently built their home outside of Norwood, Missouri on Pams family farm.



John was employed with Baylor Trucking for the last 12 years, and was treated like a family member from day one. He loved Over-The-Road trucking, often saying he didnt live in a house, but in his truck. When relaxing at home, his dog, Tim Too, was always at his side. John had a very outgoing personality and never met a stranger. He was looked up to as a mentor and father figure by many of his Army peers, fellow truck drivers, and friends of his children. John also loved picking on and teasing his nieces and nephews. He loved the outdoors, especially fishing and hunting. He also loved working with his rose bushes and flower beds.



John was preceded in death by his dad: Glenn Vineyard of Iowa City, Iowa; and his father-in-law: Edwin Dennis of Norwood, Missouri.



He is survived by his loving wife: Pamela Cook, of the home; one son: Allan Glenn Cook and Emily Williams of Oak Grove, Kentucky; one daughter: Jamie Elizabeth Cook of Cabool, Missouri; his mother: Rosella Keeton of Iowa City, Iowa; his step-mother: Mary Vineyard of Iowa City, Iowa; mother-in-law: Earlene Dennis of Norwood, Missouri, one brother: Walter Linnell of Norwood, Missouri; seven sisters: Dorothy Rainbolt of Iowa City, Iowa, Pauline Lint and husband, Richard, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Cheri Clyde of South Dakota, Pam Cook of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Linda Vineyard of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Glenna Vineyard of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Catheren Vineyard of Waterloo, Iowa; Sister-in-law Patricia Finch and husband, Donald, Sister-in-law: Aleth Rogers and husband, Joseph, all of Norwood, Missouri, numerous nephews and nieces; and a host of other relatives and friends who will dearly miss him.