Rev. Gordon Cook

Ever faithful, Rev. Gordon Cook was a man after God's own heart. His endeavor to faithfully serve his God was at the center of his heart, and his life reflected it in the way he lived each day. He was not only a servant of the Lord, but a devoted husband and dedicated father to those entrusted to his care.

Gordon’s story began on a cool spring day in 1918 in the south central city of Jackson, Michigan. It was a stormy time in our nation's history as many young soldiers were embattled in war during World War I. Cause for concern also included the Spanish flu which reached epidemic proportions. Yet on April 17, 1918, Carl and Laurine Cook found reason to celebrate with the birth of their second son, Gordon Forrest Cook.

Gordon joined his older brother, Jack, in their family home. By the year's end, the end of World War I brought welcome relief and hope for many. Gordon's early years were typical for a young toddler, but life as he knew it forever changed when his mother sadly died from pneumonia when Gordon was three years old. His father did the best he could, but adversity once again changed the course of Gordon's life at the age of six when his father tragically died.

Remaining by each other's side, Gordon and his brother, Jack moved about their aunts and uncles homes. Life was never easy for them, and by age 11, Gordon was working at area carnivals as a "call man" selling games. He was fortunate to have attended school, and went on to graduate from Jackson High School when he was 16. He lived with his Aunt Lilly and Uncle Roy, and attended the local Lutheran church with them.

Uprooted once again, their grandfather decided it was time for them to move on to Pontiac, Michigan where they lived with their Uncle Frank and Aunt Viola Blanchard. It was then when Gordon began working for the railroad, cleaning rail cars for fifteen cents. Under the premise of being 18, by the time Gordon was 17, he got a job working at the Fischer Auto Body plant in Pontiac. No stranger to heartache or hard work, he did what needed to be done to earn his way, and times were especially difficult during the Great Depression.

Gordon was invited by a local Lutheran priest to attend his church, but Gordon preferred attending the Baptist church with the Blanchards. This was the beginning of new things to come for Gordon. He liked the church, and when a co-worker asked him to attend a Anthony Zeoli crusade with him, Gordon agreed. While there, a missionary tapped him on the shoulder, telling him he needed to give his life to Jesus. He complied, and was born again into the family of God.

A huge weight had been lifted, and Gordon took an active role in his new found faith. He attended the First Baptist Church in Pontiac and learned much from his pastor, Rev. Henry Savage. He hoped his brother, Jack, who had been working with the CCC camps in the Upper Peninsula planting trees, could find the same inner peace he had found. Gordon's earnest prayer was for his brother's salvation, and one week later, he too was saved. With much eagerness, Gordon and a friend purchased a car and traveled about selling bibles and Christian publications. And before leaving for college, Gordon sold his share of the car to his friend.

Furthering his education, Gordon went on to Greenville, South Carolina where he attended Bob Jones University, majoring in the Bible. He remained in South Carolina during the hot summers facilitating meetings at local churches where he preached the same five messages over and over. After graduating, he began working for Bob Jones Ministries in Rome, Georgia.

Gordon later moved on to Winona Lake, Indiana to attend Grace Theological Seminary. He and Jack rented a room from the Arcile Pierce and her children Lorene and Chuck. Gordon had grown up with the Pierce children, now adults, who lived in Morley, Michigan. Gordon and Lorene once thought of each other as brother and sister, and Gordon even referred to her as "Sis" at one point in time. But that all soon changed when he began calling her, “sweetheart”.

After dating for about a year, Gordon and Lorene were blessed in vows of marriage in 1942. While he was in seminary, Lorene remained at home as a homemaker taking care of their son, David who came along in 1944. He moved his family to Gary, Indiana in 1946 where he was installed as pastor of the Brunswick Baptist Church. They welcomed the birth of Dale, their second child, and in 1950 they relocated to Cospersville, Michigan. Commissioned as Chaplain and First Lieutenant in the Army, he served from 1952 to 1954 during the Korean War. During this time, they were blessed with two daughters, Karen and Kathy.

Fond family memories were made on family vacations, tent camping for extended periods of time. Each Friday was family night where the game, Hide the Thimble was always a hit followed by popcorn and Vernors floats. Gordon's children recall their father as a wonderful, Godly man who loved his family beyond compare. Together, Gordon and Lorene were truly an example to family and friends. Always at each other's side, they were, as a couple, wholly committed to the ministry. Their home was a welcoming, open door for all as they hosted numerous dinners, entertained, and provided fellowship and shelter for missionaries. With vast knowledge of the Scriptures, there were always deep conversations around them.

Throughout the years, Gordon remained active in the U.S. Army Reserves. During a two week training trip to Colorado, he tried downhill skiing, and loved it. He returned home and took his girls to Cannonsburg where he taught them how to ski. Although he broke his leg skiing one time in 1975, he later eagerly returned to the sport. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing for Salmon, Northern Pike and pan fish. Gordon also loved to read and study. Constantly in the Word, he penned pages upon pages of journals, sermons, thoughts, and prayers, and took numerous notes..

While Lorene tended to their young and growing family, Gordon returned to seminary after his military service to pursue his Master's degree. During this time, he also pastored at the Winona Lake Baptist Church. From 1959 to 1968, he served at Quarry Avenue Baptist Church, since renamed Highland Hills Baptist Church, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After living in Grand Rapids for nine years, the Cook family moved to Rockford, Michigan where Gordon founded Blythefield Hills Baptist Church. The Cooks lived in Rockford from 1968-1976, and from 1976 to 1980, they served in Revelstoke, British Colombia where they founded the Fellowship Baptist Church. The year 1980 found them moving to Vancouver Island, British Colombia where they began a new church in Port Hardy.

Settling down to retire, Gordon and Lorene returned to Grand Rapids in 1984. Although retired, he continued in the ministry as the pastor of visitation for Highland Hills Baptist Church and was also involved in selling real estate.

Through the years, Lorene developed Alzheimer's Disease. Gordon faithfully tended to her every need until she moved to the Christian Rest Home. Even then, Gordon was there helping his beloved, and his promised vows of, "in sickness and in health". Truly lost for a time following her death in 2005, Gordon clung to his faith and the love from family and friends.

Gordon eventually moved to Glennie, Michigan for a little adventure. He always had the desire to live on a farm, and this was his opportunity. At the age of 86, Gordon purchased a home near his daughter, Karen and began a new journey in life. He even had a pond put in where he regularly fished, and led a local bible study. The words to his two favorite hymns, Marvelous Grace and When I Survey the Wondrous Cross never rang more true to Gordon. He often reflected on the beautiful life the Lord laid upon him, and His goodness and blessings.

Over the last few years, Gordon suffered from several health issues. He underwent heart surgery which greatly affected him, and he lost much of his eyesight. He remained living on his own until a recent hospitalization. He often reflected on the beautiful life the Lord laid upon him, and His goodness and blessings as reflected in the words of his two favorite hymns, Marvelous Grace and When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. At the age of 94, Gordon went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, November 10, 2012.

Grateful for much, Rev. Gordon Cook overcame obstacles which would cause some to turn their hearts away from God. He accepted his Lord's offer of grace, and allowed God to turn his life into one of serving. In so doing, he led many to the Lord, and his commitment to his Lord God was foremost in his life.

Gordon is survived by his children, David (Marilyn) Cook, Dale (Elizabeth) Monroe-Cook, Karen (David) Dee, Kathy (Allen) Pick; grandchildren, Daniel Cook, Carol (Eric) Brown, Timothy (Amanda) Cook, Cynthia (Nicholas) Miller, Brenna Monroe-Cook, Jonathon Monroe-Cook, Emerick (Janelle) Dee, Jerram (Kristen) Dee, Marla (Shane) Jensen, Mark (Katie) Pick, Micah (Katrina) Pick; great-grandchildren, Alexandra Brown, Jared Brown, Samuel Brown, Julia Brown, Nicholas Miller, Connor Dee, Valerie Miller, Ethan Pick, Piper Dee, Brayden Dee, David Dee, Lincoln Cook, Evan Pick, Karah Dee, William Dee.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at Highland Hills Baptist Church, 1415 Northrup NW. Interment in Rosedale Memorial Park. Friends may visit with his family from 2-4 and 7-9 PM on Tuesday at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Memorial contributions may be made to the Christian Rest Home Foundation. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a favorite memory, photo, and to sign his online guest book.