John R. Cook, Sr.
1925-2009

Funeral for John Robert Cook, age 84, of Decatur, Alabama, was Wednesday, March 4, 2009, at 1 p.m. at First Bible Church of Decatur, 3202 Spring Avenue SW, with Dr. Steve Bateman officiating and Roselawn Funeral Home directing.

Mr. Cook, philanthropist, nationally acclaimed businessman, and owner of Cook’s Pest Control, died Friday, February 27, 2009, at his home of pancreatic cancer.

Mr. Cook’s desire throughout his adult life was to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and to share his Savior’s love with others. He carried out that passion faithfully, even during months of treatment for pancreatic cancer.

Born January 21, 1925 in Athens, Alabama, he was the only child of John L. and Leona Cook. The family moved to Decatur in 1927.

After graduating in 1943 from Riverside High School in Decatur, Mr. Cook enlisted in the Navy and served during World War II in Atlanta, Georgia and the South Pacific until discharged in 1946.

On July 12, 1946, he married the love of his life, Eleanor Elizabeth “Jo” Mitcham.

Mr. Cook studied architecture at Georgia Tech, graduating in 1950. That same year, after the death of his father, he gave up his dream of a career in architecture and returned to Decatur to fulfill termite guarantees for the family business, North Alabama Termite Company, later renamed Cook’s Pest Control. Under his leadership, Cook’s grew from one full-time employee and only a few accounts to become the seventh largest pest control company in the United States.

Though always humble regarding his business success, Mr. Cook was the recipient of countless accolades and honors.

His civic involvement included extensive work with the Decatur Jaycees. In 1959, he was named Jaycees’ Young Man of the Year, and in 1961, was one of four men named Outstanding Young Man in Alabama. Mr. Cook served on the following boards: Morgan County Industrial, Central Bank, Regions Bank, Decatur General Hospital Foundation, Calhoun College Foundation, Edwin Hodges Ministries, and Chamber of Commerce Beautification. In 1988, the Chamber honored Mr. Cook by naming him Small Business Person of the Year.

Mr. Cook served terms as president of the Alabama Pest Control Association and the National Pest Control Association. In 2001, the national association presented him with the President’s Pinnacle Award. That year, Cook’s Pest Control won the Better Business Bureaus’ National Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics.

Mr. Cook was known throughout the pest management industry for his creative marketing strategies such as the Cookie the Cop mascot and the catchy jingle now synonymous with the company: “Lookie, Lookie, Lookie, Here Comes Cookie!” His architectural training instilled within him an attention to detail that was beneficial in growing a pest control business.

Mr. Cook’s dedication to the community was evidenced through his humanitarianism toward local, national, and international charities and educational institutions. In 1980, he built Cook’s Natural Science Museum as a place to share the wonder of God’s creation with the public. The museum welcomes visitors free of charge seven days a week. When Decatur Heritage Christian Academy was established in 1995, Mr. Cook joined others in freely offering his time and resources in support of academic excellence in Christian education. Globally, he led mission trips to Moldova and Ukraine.

In 1965, with a desire to share their faith, Mr. Cook and his wife Jo began hosting a weekly Bible study, from which First Bible Church of Decatur was established. Mr. Cook, a charter member, served as an elder for many years. During the 1970s and 1980s, they were lay staff members with Campus Crusade for Christ and hosted a high school ministry in their home.

In 2008, Mr. Cook’s life story was recorded in the book, Employee Number 2: The Story of John Cook and Cook’s Pest Control.

Mr. Cook is survived by his wife of 62 years Eleanor “Jo” Mitcham Cook, son John Robert Cook, Jr. and his wife Lyn Striplin Cook, and grandson Brian Christopher Cook, all of Decatur.

He was preceded in death by his parents John Lewis Cook and Leona Long Cook, and an infant son James Lewis Cook.

Pallbearers were Jim Aycock, George White, Joey Harris, Bill Prince, Scott Dubach and Fred Henderson.

Honorary pallbearers were the members of Mr. Cook’s Thursday morning Bible study.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Decatur Heritage Christian Academy, P.O. Box 5659, Decatur, AL 35601.

Quotes regarding Mr. Cook:

Jim Aycock, Cook's President and CEO:

Mr. Cook was a very special person. He has been such a wonderful mentor for all of his employees and a good steward in the communities in which he lived and had business operations. Mr. Cook had a servant's heart and always worked for the good of others. He was a person of strong Christian principles and values. He humbly served his Lord, family and community. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Joey Harris, Cook's Vice-President, Sales & Service:

One of the greatest blessings in my life has been knowing and working with Mr. Cook. His life was a model for a Christian businessman and leader. HIs emphasis on service quality and "doing things right" was evident in everything he touched. "Doing things right" is easy to say; however, even when the situation was tough and easier solutions were an option, Mr. Cook's commitment and testimony to quality never wavered. He will be greatly missed.

I remember meeting Mr. Cook for the first time, over 20 years ago. My first impression was that of a man of great conviction and vision. He loved people. He loved his family. He loved life. And, most of all, he loved Jesus Christ and His church. Looking back, I cannot think of a single action he took in which he wasn't doing so for the glory of God. That first impression was a true impression and will benefit me and my family for a lifetime.

Mr. Cook once asked me to address him as "John." That's something I could never do. Mr. Cook reached the highest level of leadership and respect attainable. He led strictly by example; not by title. I once mentioned this to Mr. Cook and he laughed saying that "one day, I'll let you down." He never did.

Mr. Cook's commitment to service quality and professionalism not only benefitted Cook's Pest Control; the entire pest control industry was enhanced due to his vision and work ethic. The industry has lost an icon. However, his commitment to quality and training combined with the lives he touched insures continued success within the business through his family.