Harold Wallace Cook passed from this life on April 1, 2021 from a lingering illness. He was born May 19, 1941 in Byrdstown, TN to Clyde and Agnes Cook who preceded him in death. Most Harold’s youth was spent in the Mt. Zion/Viola area and he was one of the “Viola Hoods” whose pranks are legendary among older members of the community. Despite his youthful hijinks, Harold was a kind and gentle man and an example to us all on how to love and cherish a spouse. He married his high school sweetheart, Judy Cantrell Cook, on June 5, 1960 and they continued to hold hands in public all during their 60 years of marriage. They spent their empty nest years traveling the United States and several countries. The highlight of the last few years was a month at Ft. Morgan Beach in Gulf Shores, AL – a place near and dear to his heart.
Harold never raised his voice in anger to his children Lisa (Steve) Hilton of Smyrna, TN, and Hal (Shannon) Cook of Cookeville, TN teaching them how to fish and play backyard football. He also coached little league football and baseball and served as President of the Salem church, VA Athletic Association.
In addition to his wife and children, Harold is survived by sister Carolyn (Bobby) Lance of McMinnville, TN, and brothers Walter (Annette) of Knoxville, TN; Cecil (Nancy) of Franklin, TN; and Norman of Burns, TN; seven grandchildren including Ryan Hilton, Faith Hilton, Jonathan (Emily) Bushie, Olivia (Ryan) Yearwood, Shane Cook, Hallie Cook, and Maggie Cook; six great-grandchildren including Rya and Ciara Hilton, Colton, Teghan, and Magnolia Bushie, and Larson Yearwood and several nieces and nephews.
Harold spent fifty years as an Insurance Premium Auditor retiring from Royal & Sunalliance and Liberty Mutual Insurance companies. He also owned C&C Services – an independent audit service. He was respected in the industry and as a result served a term as Vice President of the National Society of Insurance Premium Auditors in addition to terms as President of the Insurance Auditor Associations of Virginia, Tampa Bay, FL, and Tennessee.
Harold had a great love for the souls of others and spent twenty years doing short-term mission work in South America, Africa, and India. He also served as Corporate Treasurer and was a board member at Foundation Christian Academy in Brandon, FL. Harold served as an elder at Gulf Shores church of Christ in Gulf Shores, AL; Bell Shoals church of Christ in Brandon, FL; and Bybee Branch church of Christ in McMinnville, TN. He spent his retirement years as a full-time preacher at both Rockcliff and Unity churches of Christ in Warren County TN.
Funeral service will be at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, April 06, 2021, at McMinnville Funeral Home Chapel. Bro. Tony Lawrence and Bro. Billy Duggan will officiate. Interment will follow at Mt. Zion Cemetery. The Cook Family will receive friends Monday from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. and again Tuesday from 11:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. in the parlors of McMinnville Funeral Home. 931-473-6606.
Online condolences may be made at www.mcminnvillefuneralhome.com
