Robert Daniel Cook

Robert Daniel 'Danny' Cook, 59, passed away and went to be with the Lord in heaven on Saturday, November 7, 2009 after a hand to hand battle with kidney cancer. I lost this battle but I won the war . . .just imagine where I am now! I have West Virginia blood in me having been born in Point Pleasant on September 9, 1950. I am survived by my father, Cecil Cook; my mother, Bonnie Harris Snodgrass; my life-long friend, Lola Morris of Ocala, Florida; sister, Misti Chapman and brother, Jeff Cook; nieces and nephews, Vanessa Eric Neuhart, Kassey Cory Jones, Thomas and Marinda Cook, Whitnee deceased and Austin Chapman. I graduated from Gallia Academy High School in 1969. I worked for the Chris Craft Corp. and the U.S. Marine Corps before starting my own business which I ran for 19 years . . . longer than either of the others lasted. I only quit then because of cancer. I always wanted to 'do my own thing' in business and I sure enjoyed it. The Lord saved me on Easter 2004 at the Second Baptist Church in Ravenswood, WV. Talk about a happy time! Anyone who reads this and is not saved, please don't take too long to answer His call . . .time is running out. Pastor Alfred Holley and Pastor Randy Carnes of Elizabeth Chapel Church have given me much support with their visits and calls during my sickness. I'm glad that I was saved before cancer was diagnosed. Cancer is as much of a ruination on your mind as it is on your body. Without God's grace and the help of special friends, it's a terrible battle. Please remember this the next time your friend or relative tells you that he or she has cancer. Stick with them . . .and don't fade away. I want to give special words of heartfelt thanks to my Dad, to my late stepmother, Vivian Cook, to Lola Morris and to family member Chris Cook. Without Lola, I wouldn't have even lived in order to have surgery. Without her to have seen red flags in me that others didn't and helped me get an early diagnosis, I would have died long ago. Lola is my rock and has always been there for me at any time, and for any reason. I stayed at my dad and stepmother's house for four months after surgery, eating her good food and gaining strength and weight. Without Chris, my post surgery life would have been much more difficult. She has always been there, and was here at the end checking on me and asking what she could do. Dwayne Caldwell was always there mowing grass for me and always calling. People tend to 'drop off' after a short time . . . they never did. Readers: Do me a favor and keep thanking them for me. Some called, prayed, and offered to do anything. Others looked the other way. It has been an experience for me . . .to see the best of people and, yes, all the rest of them. I loved my '69 Camaros, the New York Yankees, the Ohio State Buckeyes, my outdoor Christmas decorations, and was usually on the golf course with my golf buddies: Harry Griffin, Steve Jenkins, Matt Maddox, Skip Edwards, Jim Blair, Kurt Ramey, Tom Williams, Bob Croft, and Marlo Bush. I'd like to see some of my old friends gather on a beautiful day on the 11th tee at Franklin Valley Golf Club and take one more mighty swing for me. Like we used to say, 'Loser pays for the pain pills!' The outdoor Christmas decorating that I did for years is probably the best thing that I have ever done. My services will be at Willis Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, November 12, 2009 with Pastor Alfred Holley and Pastor Randy Carnes officiating. Burial will be in the Holzer Addition of Mound Hill Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 from 6-8 p.m. My pallbearers and honorary pallbearers are cherished long time friends: Harry Griffin, Dwayne Caldwell, Matt Maddox, Michael Scarberry, Mike Plymale, and Marlo Bush.Honorary pallbearers will be: Dave Walter, Steve Jenkins, Larry Cook and Dave Rothgeb. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Danny's memory to Holzer Hospice, 100 Jackson Pike, Gallipolis, OH 45631. written by Danny Cook Willis Funeral Home Gallipolis OH US Cemetery: 2009-11-12 Mound Hill Cemetery Gallipolis OH US Visitation: 2009-11-11 18:00:00-20:00:00 Willis Funeral Home Gallipolis OH US Service: 2009-11-12 11:00:00 Willis Funeral Home Gallipolis OH US