Jeffery Cook

Jeffery Allen Cook was born August 18, 1955 in Camden, Arkansas to Vada Lane and Dorn Cook. He was predeceased by his father Dorn Cook. He passed away on October 28, 2019 in Little Rock, Arkansas. 

Jeff grew up in Stephens before attending Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and obtaining a degree in Business. His career had many different stages, from office supply salesman to Director of Information Technology at Medical Park Hospital. At the ripe young age of 57, he returned to graduate school and completed a Master’s in Business Administration. This led him to his true passion: education. In 2015, he became a Business Instructor at the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana, where he changed the lives of both students and faculty alike. He loved his students greatly and cared for them as if they were his own family. He was a dedicated member of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Hope, where he sang bass in the choir, taught Sunday School, and led the Worship Committee. He was married to Catherine, the love of his life, for 34 years, with whom he had his daughter Kate. He was an active parent in all her extracurriculars and worked closely with her Girl Scout troop and in the Hope Bands concession booth. He was fond of horror movies, terrible jokes, classic rock, and his many cats. While he had a self-deprecating nature, there was no one kinder or more willing to help out anyone in need.

He is survived by his wife, Catherine Christie Cook and his daughter Kate Pranger (Mark) of Little Rock, Arkansas; brother Kerry Dorn Cook (Jolane) of Texarkana, Arkansas and niece Mary, mother Vada Moore (Randy) of Frenchport, Arkansas, stepsister Stephanie Moore (Kathy) of Hot Springs AR, and stepbrother Steven Moore (Gail) of Frenchport, Arkansas and nephew Justin.  He is also survived by his sister-in-law Michele Fincham (David) of Hope, brother-in-law Alan Christie of Tucson AZ, and sister-in-law Marilyn Christie of Phoenix, AZ as well as other nieces and nephews by marriage and their children who were well loved by him.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are encouraged to First United Methodist Church, 2300 S. Main, Hope or University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana, 2500 S. Main, Hope, AR 71801. 

Visitation for the family will be 6:00-8:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at BRAZZEL-Oakcrest Funeral Home 1001 South Main Street Hope, Arkansas 71801.

Memorial Service will be on Thursday, October 31, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Hope with Rev. Steve Johnson officiating. No burial to follow. Arrangements are with BRAZZEL/Oakcrest The Funeral Home of Hope, Eddie BRAZZEL, Director. Online condolences: www.brazzelfuneralhomes.com