NEWBERRY — Cpt. Kevin Douglas Cook, US Army (Ret.), 70, died Wednesday, March 30, 2016, at his residence.
Born on May 21, 1945, in Kenmore, NY, he was the son of the late Douglas and Norma Marie Cook. He was in the US Army for 37 years where he served during the Vietnam War and during his service was involved with the Special Forces. He also worked for 10 years as a professor at Newberry College. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order.
Cpt. Cook is survived by his wife, Pamela Michelle Hughes Cook; sons, Nathan Steve (Nicole) Porter of Everett, WA and Van Rensselaer (Carolyn) Porter of Moore, OK; a daughter, Jennifer Scott Cook of Salem, NC; a sister, Valanc Casacaden of Litton, CO and four grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 3, 2016 at Wiles Chapel on the campus of Newberry College. A private family inturnment will be held at Fort Jackson National Cemetery.
McSwain-Evans Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements. A note of remembrance may be written to the family at www.mcswainevans.com
Terry Palmer (Chastain)
Another gone too soon. Rest in peace Kevin.
Elaine Zax (Wood)
Kevin was a remarkable and witty classmate. We can be proud of his extensive military service to our country. It was great to reacquaint during our reunion efforts. RIP Kevin and you will surely be missed by family and friends.
Tibor Nemeth
A Soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you for your service. Rest in peace, Kevin Cook
Robert Coogan
What do I say about a man who was such a big part of my high school life. We were both busy building our lives for the first 25years after high school and we, like many of us lost track of each other until the 25th reunion. After that we stayed in contact and once again became a part of each other lives and families. In school we all have many friends, but there is always one person who was the "best friend". For me that was Kevin. He always called me his hero and I could never figure out why. If ever there was a person who filled the definition of hero it was Kevin. He made a career out of serving his country. He served as a combat officer in an unpopular war, finally succumbing to the devastating effects of that war some 40 years later. He was very unhappy that he couldn't make it to the 50th reunion, so I told him to write something up and I would read it for him. He wrote about the school, the teachers, the fact that we had both Christmas and Easter vacations.......not winter and spring breaks. He mentioned places that no longer exist. Places like Brinsons and Pat's Hot dogs on Sheridan drive. He stirred memories in all of us that night and it was good to think about the way things were for a little while. He was looking forward to the 55th reunion if we had one. We need to have that reunion, not for Kevin or other classmates who are no longer with us......but for us. We need to bathe in those memories for a little while and be with each other for a little while. We are truly a part of each others lives. We all knew each other when we were skinny! We are no longer separated by time and distance, but only by emails or phone calls. Rest in peace my friend.....I'll see ya later....after school.
Rita Bostwick (Masterson)
I was so saddened to hear of Kevin's passing. He was a wonderful man whose absence makes the world less bright. I extend my condolences to his family. RIP Kevin.
Penelope Kramer (LePome)
I am so sorry to hear of Kevin's death. I wish I had known him better. I have read the comments. He was well liked and highly regarded by those who knew him. I know he will be missed! My condolences to his entire family.
Penelope (Kramer) LePome
John Drexelius
REST IN PEACE KEVIN.
Tom Ryan
So very sorry to learn of Kevin crossing the bridge into a better place. He was a real patriot and one heck of a nice guy.
Larry C. Oldham
So sorry to hear of Kevin's death. I have memories of Kevin and I when we were in Cub Scouts together. We didn't have much contact through high school, and the next and best memory of Kevin was the parody of our senior year he delivered at the 25th Reunion. That made such an impression on me that I contacted him before the 50th Reunion and asked him if he could bring a copy to the 50th or perhaps post it on this website. He said he would really have to dig through his old notes/files, but he would try. Naturally, I was disapointed that he couldn't attend the Reunion, but I did understand.
Kevin thank you for your service to our country and the many other great contributions you made during your lifetime. My condolences to his family and friends.
Martin D. Geimer
Kevin enjoyed talking politics, days at Kenmore West and growing up in Kenmore. His family moved to Burbank, California shortly after his graduation. He found a different life there but adapted, flourished and loved the California girls. He attended college, worked at different professions, was drafted, graduated OCS and sent to Vietnam. He found what turned out to be the love of his life in Pamela, a Southern Belle while stationed at Fort Jackson, S.C. He totally enjoyed teaching his young students as a Professor at Newberry College. Then there was the assortment rescued dogs and cats. With relatives in Greenville I was able to visit Kevin two times in the last three years in what he referred to as Mayberry. Kevin was one of those who made a difference in many lives.