Ernest Cook

Ernest Cook, age 95, of Grants Pass, died Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at Ashley Manor.

A viewing will be from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday, April 1, 2013 at Hull & Hull Funeral Directors.

No services are planned. Private interment will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Remembrances may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 1650 NW Naito Parkway Suite 190, Portland, Oregon 97209.

Ernest was born December 22, 1917 in Churchville, New York to Tony & Mary Cook. He grew up on a farm with nine brothers and sisters in rural New York State near Rochester. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corp, working on projects at Lake Ontario. In September 1939 he married Dorothy Wells of Barre Center and they had two sons, Dale and Ronald. Ernie worked in defense plants during World War II until he went into the U.S. Army in 1944, serving in the 71st Infantry Division of General Patton’s 3rd Army. He was in several countries in the European Theater.

He operated his own service station until 1954 when he moved his family to Southern California. He worked at the U.S. Royal tire plant in Los Angeles and then moved to the Ontario area and worked for Sears, Roebuck in Pomona until his retirement. The Cooks moved to Grants Pass in June 1997.

Ernie did lots of reading and loved to watch John Wayne movies. He was an active wood carver and specialized in walking sticks, many of which he sold while still living in California. He walked many miles in the Grants Pass area, always carrying one or two of his sticks.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Cook of Grants Pass, Oregon; two sons, Dale Cook of Grants Pass, Oregon and Ronald Cook of Riverside, California; seven grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren; sisters, Anna Moni, Jenny Perrault, and Antoinette Thompson; and a brother, Joseph Cook all of California; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.