Buddy D. Cook

Buddy Dean Cook, 82, departed from this life on November 5, 2023 in Columbia, MO.  Born to Bennie and Ruby (Jett) Cook on January 18, 1941, Buddy was reared in the Belle area.  Earlier in life, Buddy spent much time with his paternal grandparents, Martin and Josephine (Duke) Cook, who were like a second set of parents to him.

Buddy attended first through eighth grade at Dixie School south of Belle.  He then attended High School in Belle where he graduated in 1958.  Following graduation, he helped his dad on the farm until he was old enough to work at Kingsford Charcoal.  In 1966, he was drafted into the army and was stationed in Germany until he was honorably discharged in 1968. When he returned to Belle, he worked at the Counter Factory for 11 years before returning to work at Kingsford in 1979 where he retired in 2007.

In 1968, he met and dated Lourea Crum for 2 years before they were united in marriage on April 11, 1970 at Little Flock Baptist Church in Vienna, MO.  To this union a son, Christopher Cook, was born.

Buddy professed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and was baptized in 1972 at Little Flock Baptist Church.  Later he joined the First Baptist Church in Belle, where he taught Youth Sunday School and served as a volunteer in the youth ministry.  On May 4, 1980, Buddy was ordained and served as an active deacon until he had a heart attack in 2006.

Surviving Buddy are his wife Lourea of 53 years of Belle; his son Christopher; his precious daughter-in-law Jennifer; three grandsons, Joshua (Jordan) Cook, Andrew (Hannah) Cook, and Bradley Cook, and two great-grandchildren Alex and Charis Cook of Columbia; two sisters, Marsha (Sam) Land of Jefferson City, and Janet (Gene) Kottwitz; and sister-in-law Bessie Cook of Belle.

He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Bennie and Ruby Cook; brother Gary, sister Kathleen; paternal grandparents Martin and Josephine (Duke) Cook of Belle and John and Rilda (Thompson) Jett of Bland.

Visitation will be Saturday, November 18, 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Belle with funeral to follow at 11 a.m.  Interment will be at Little Flock Cemetery in Vienna, MO at 1:30 p.m.

Memorial donations are suggested to be made to the Building Fund at First Baptist Church in Belle or Little Flock Baptist Church in Vienna. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Sassmann’s Chapel, Belle, MO. (859-3712)

www.sassmannschapel.com