COOK, Frederick Thomas "Fred" - b. November 14, 1936 - d. May 17, 2021

[patyrn]

Frederick Thomas "Fred" Cook, age 84, of Fall River, Kansas, passed away on May 17, 2021 at his home.  He was born November 14, 1936 in Arkansas City, Kansas to Lowell and Eva (Westbrook) Cook.

Fred grew up alongside one brother and two sisters and graduated from Douglass High School in Douglass, Kansas.  He grew up with two great influences in his life:  his uncle, Oscar Hein, and his wrestling coach, Billy Doyle.

On May 25, 1956, Fred married Frankie Jean Miller in Miami, Oklahoma.  Together they raised their children, Tom, Jeannie, and Vickie, and in just a few days they would have celebrated 65 years together.  The family lived in Douglass, Kansas, and Fred spent 13 years working for Boeing.  He then went to work as a welder for Burlington Northern Railroad, dedicating over 27 years to the company.  The family moved to Fall River, Kansas when Fred's Uncle Oscar and Aunt Sadie got older and needed someone to look after them.

Fred enjoyed hunting ad fishing.  His passion, though, was helping kids.  He taught several Fredonia boys how to wrestle, and some of them went to state.  He was also known to buy a fishing pole and tackle box for kids if they didn't have a father figure in their life.  He always made sure to be a good influence ad help kids, just like his uncle and coach did when he was younger.

Fred was a member of the First Christian Church in Fall River, Kansas, the Douglass Masonic Lodge #151, the Midian Shrine, and York Rite of Kansas for 50 years.  He was a loving husband, great dad and grandpa, and a loyal friend.  He will be missed by all who knew him.

Fred is survived by his wife, Frankie; daughters, Jeannie (David) Harsin of Hillsboro, Kansas and Vickie (Joe) Bambick of Fredonia, Kansas; grandchildren, Ryan Acker and Matthew Harsin; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Tom; his brother, Lowell, Jr., his sisters, Corene Prazma and Carolyn Cook; and his aunt and uncle, Sadie ad Oscar Hein.

Graveside service will be held on Friday, May 21, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Mt. Zion Cemetery in rural Fall River, Kansas.  Memorial contributions can be made in honor of Fred to the Shriners Children's Hospital or St. Jude Children's Hospital and can be mailed to or left with the funeral home.  Services have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 420 S. 20th, Fredonia, Kansas 66736.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)