Thomas Frederick Cook

Thomas Frederick Cook of Chester, VA passed away peacefully Wednesday, October 17th, 2012. He was born June 24, 1921 in Devon, England, the son of the late Edith Rogers Cook and Henry Robert Cook. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Janet. Mr. Cook attended London College of Choristers and was employed by Baird and Tatlock of London, manufacturers of scientific equipment, before enlisting in the Royal Air Force in 1942. A WWII Veteran, he was an Air-Navigator- Bomber in the Coastal Command flying in the B24 Liberator, serving in South Africa and eventually at Camp Kilner, NJ. He met his future bride at the New York City USO, marrying Janet Gray of East Springfield, NY in 1945. He was honorably discharged from the RAF in 1946, resuming his career in scientific equipment sales, first in Rochester, NY; then Baltimore, MD; and eventually in Richmond, Va, retiring from VWR in 1984. Mr. Cook proudly became an American citizen on August 29th, 1950, and, with his wife Janet, travelled to almost every state. He was an active member of Grace Episcopal Church, Elkridge, MD and St. Johns Episcopal Church of Chester, VA, and served his community as a PTA President, Senior Warden and President of the Howard County Democrat Club. He is survived by daughters Nicky Coe, Chester, VA and Patricia Miller, Milford, CT; sons, Charlie Cook, and wife, Carol, Navarre, FL and Roger Cook, and wife, Deena, Nanticoke, MD; granddaughters Laura Holman; Kayla Chelf, and husband, Scott; Tarah Myers, and husband, Matthew; grandsons Brian Coe, and wife, Mayann; Tom Coe, and wife, Toni; and Rob Morse and wife, Kerri; and eight great grandchildren. A celebration of Tom’s life will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at St. John’s Episcopal Church at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Outreach Programs at St. John’s Episcopal, 12201 Richmond Street, Chester, VA 23831. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com