Travis Leamon Cook

Travis Leamon Cook died February 2. 2011, at Saint Johns Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, after a long illness. He had suffered many years with a weak heart and congestive heart failure. He was born February 12, 1936, near Lebanon, Missouri. He was the only child of Clovis T. Cook and Velma O. King-Cook. Travis lived in several different states during his youth, as his father was an evangelist who was called to work with different Churches of Christ across the nation. Travis always thought of the Lebanon area as his home, though. He attended Phillipsburg Missouri High School, where he played softball and basketball. After graduation he moved with his parents to Wichita Falls, Texas where he played semi-professional softball with his two uncles Leo and Jirl Cook. In January 1948 Travis was baptized by his father , into Christs Church. He remained a steadfast devout Christian throughout his life, and for the past many years he has been a member of the Mission Hills Church of Christ in Springfield, Missouri. In 1954, the Cook Brothers Gospel Quartet was formed by his father, Clovis Cook, his uncle Leo Cook, Travis Cook and Homer A (Sonny) Gay, Jr. Many enjoyed the melodious harmony of this Quartet. They were requested to perform at many events and produced many albums and records. Travis sang tenor with this quartet and was known everywhere for his beautiful voice. He loved good gospel music and spent many hours listen to gospel groups. He passed this love of music, and a part of his beautiful voice, on to his two sons, and two grandsons. His beautiful tenor voice will most certainly be missed in the worship services of the Church. While in Texas Travis met and married Peggy Yvonne Blair. To this union one son, Martin Curtis Cook was born. In 1956, prior to Martys birth Travis and Peggy moved to Kansas City, Kansas. They lived there as a happy family until Peggys untimely death at the young age of 24. In April 1964, Travis met Shirley Rogers and they were married January 1, 1965. To this union one son, Kendall Travis Cook was born in 1969. Travis was a country boy at heart and was thrilled to move his family to a farm outside of Bolivar, Missouri in November of 1974. Travis was accomplished in many talents, such as a taxidermist, dog breeder, hunter, fisherman gardener, cattle rancher, painter and journalist. Travis worked at several different jobs including sales, businessman and printer. He owned the Aladdin Print shop from 1983 to 1986, at which time he sold it and went to Southwest Baptist University as Director of the print shop. He retired from SBU in 1996. Travis is survived by his wife; Shirley M. Cook of the home, two sons; Marty Cook and his wife Carrie of Bolivar, Missouri, Kendall Cook and his wife Nicole of Republic, Missouri, two grandchildren; Karsen Cook and Kole Cook, his stepmother; Wilma Cook of Springfield, Missouri, three stepsisters; Patricia Westmoreland of Candenton, Missouri, Nancy Hager and her husband Mike of Lebanon, Missouri, and Jannette Wolfe and her husband John of Grand Rapids, South Dakota. Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm, Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at the Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home in Springfield, Missouri with Ronny Wade officiating under the care and direction of the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, Missouri. Congregational songs will be "God's Children Are Gathering Home", "Sweet Beulah Land", "What A Day That Will Be" and "Shouting On The Hills" being lead by songleader, Mark Triplett. Burial will follow at Rivermonte Memorial Gardens in Springfield, Missouri. A visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00pm, Sunday, February 6, 2011 at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, Missouri. A visitation will also be held on Monday evening from 5:00-7:00pm at the Gorman-Scharfp Funeral Home in Springfield, Missouri. Pallbearers will be Mark Dean, Edwin Rogers, Mark Triplett, Larry Ford, Chad Smith, Gary Turner and Brent Courter. Honorary Pallbearers will be Vernon Triplett, Don Meents, Arlie Rogers, Verlin Rogers, Lonnie Mears, Ron Dean, Jerald Carr and Jirl Cook. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. 1653, Topeka, Kansas 66601-1653. Friends and family may sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

Travis Leamon Cook

February 12, 1936 - February 2, 2011