Final Salute

Dewey (Skip) Wayne Cook, 78, of Lampe, MO, passed away Saturday, February 11, 2023, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born in St. Louis, MO, April 7, 1944, to Dewey and Ann Cook of Cedar Hill, MO. Dewey married Judith (Judy) A Cook (Lehde) on March 19, 1966, in Inglewood, California. They forged a life of love, friendship and support as ONE for 57 years until his passing.
He graduated from Hillsboro High School in Hillsboro, MO in 1962. He was a true Patriot and loved his country, volunteering to serve in the US Navy. Assigned to the USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31, Dewey was a decorated Vietnam Veteran. After his service in Vietnam, he spent his career working for Southwestern Bell and AT&T, moving around to Denver, Kansas City, St Louis and Springfield. He will always know Trump won. He was a star high school baseball player and die-hard St. Louis Cardinals fan.
He cherished his parents, wife and children and all those close to him. He made you laugh and never missed an opportunity to tease someone in the most loving of ways. Dewey loved spending time at his parent’s cabin on Table Rock Lake, cutting the grass, boating and fishing every chance he could. Known to all as a gentle giant, he fought valiantly as his health deteriorated the past few years.
He was preceded in death by his father, Dewey Cook and his sister Cheryl Schmidt (Cook). Dewey is survived by his wife Judith (Judy), mother Ann Cook, three children, Cindy Cook (Judy Yavorsky-Cook), Kenny Cook (Kelly Cook) and Jason Cook (Jill Cook); grandchildren, Keri (Cook) and Michael Ghirardelli, Kameron Cook, Hallie Cook, Zackary Cook (Brandi Cook), Amber Bushong (Kaleb Bushong), Wyatt Pelate, Toxey Pelate, Daryn Rostic, Alayna Rostic, Sam Rostic, Jerremy and Cara (Kruse) Hickey, Mike and Kim (Hickey) Kotraba, Jeff and Stephanie (Hickey) Clark, Christopher and Kelli Fox and Samantha Fox; great-grandchildren, Easton, EllaMae, Wyatt, Crossley, Oaklee, Ettamae and Logan, Kolten, Kameron, Elliott and River; brother Don Cook and wife Fern; and several cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends and loved ones.
Services will be held at 11:00, Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at the Missouri Veteran’s Cemetery, located at 5201 S Southwood Rd, Springfield, MO 65804. A Celebration of Life will be held in St. Louis, MO on April 8, 2023 – location Andre’s South from 12-4pm.
In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made in Dewey’s honor to the US Navy CEC/Seabee Historical Foundation, (www.seabeehf.org), PO Box 657, Gulfport, MS 39502.