Richard H. Cook

Richard H. Cook passed away on February 5th, 2024 in Sherwood, Arkansas. He was 81 years old. 

Richard (Rick) is survived by his wife of almost 25 years, Francine DeLaurentis Cook, his daughter Amy Simon (Casey), step-daughter Tammy Hughes (Kevin), step-son Mark Orlando, four grandchildren, Aidan Hughes, Sydney Kinser (Britton), Anna Simon and Owen Simon, and sister Wilma Schmidt. He was preceded in death by his parents, George E. Cook and Anna Mae (Dee) Cook, sister Dorothy Pennebaker, brother Robert Cook, and sister Pat Egan. 

Rick was born in East Saint Louis, Missouri on December 21, 1942. Upon graduation from high school, Rick joined the United States Air Force where he served his country for many years, including in Vietnam where he was an air traffic controller. He attended Oklahoma State University where he obtained a bachelor of science in business administration and he received a Master of Arts from Webster University. 

Rick completed his military career at the LRAFB where he retired in 1986 and went on to work for Lockheed Martin in the contracting department until his retirement. Rick was an avid reader and loved learning. He lived for baseball season and the Saint Louis Cardinals were his team. He could go toe to toe with anyone about baseball trivia and had the most giving spirit. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church for over 40 years and served his parish well over the years. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and previously served as a Grand Knight. In his retirement years he enjoyed volunteering at the LRAFB pharmacy, taking friends for doughnuts, being a member of the IC Golden Falcons group and his Supper Club and loved his weekend visits with his grandkids. He was a man of faith and loved his family well. He will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to know him. 

A visitation will be held on Thursday, February 15th, 2024 at Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main Street, North Little Rock, AR from 5:00-7:00 with a Rosary at 7:00. A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, February 16th, 2024 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 7000 JFK Blvd, North Little Rock, AR at 10:30 with burial following at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, 1501 W Maryland Ave., North Little Rock, AR. 

Please consider a donation to Immaculate Conception Catholic School Endowment Fund or Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish, 7000 JFK Blvd, NLR, AR 72116 in memory of Richard H. Cook. 

Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., North Little Rock, AR  72114.  501-758-1170.