Roger Frederick Cook

Army Master Sergeant Roger Frederick Cook passed away on June 21, 2024 at the age of 91 with his daughters Lori and Sandy at his side in Cibolo, Texas.

Roger was born on June 11, 1933 to Hedde Cook and Blanche Towner in Charles City, Iowa. He graduated from Charles City High School in 1951 and was drafted into the Army in 1953 which started his extensive distinguished military career. He served in both the Korean and Vietnam wars and finished his career as an Army Recruiter in Detroit, Michigan in 1983 retiring as a Master Sergeant. During his honorable military career, he received many prestigious awards including two purple hearts. During the latter part of his career, he received his bachelor’s degree and was working on his master’s degree until his retirement from the Army. After retirement, Roger enjoyed traveling all over the United States in his motorhome and returned to Charles City many summers to help his old friends farm. He had a great love for his country, family, friends, animals, farming, traveling, hunting and being outdoors.

In 1957 Roger married Joan Trowbridge Grap becoming a stepfather to Terrie Grap. Roger and Joan had three daughters together: Lori, Ginny, and Sandy. In 1973, they divorced and a few years later, he married Anita Horan and became a stepfather to Brian, Jodie, Tom, Gary, Breena and Donald. After Anita’s passing, he married Donna Jessen.

Roger is survived by two daughters, Lori (Russ) Ellis and Sandy (Jul Kappler) Cook-Smith, both of Texas, stepchildren Terrie (Peter Van Duyne) Perrine of Maine; Tom (Patty) Horan of Texas; Gary (Brenda) Horan, Breena (Bob) Hodge, and Donald Horan, all of North Carlina. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, nine step grandchildren, 13 step great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and special friend, Janice Cox.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents Hedde and Blanche Cook, daughter Ginny Cook Weiss, grandson Joshua Smith, wives Anita Horan Cook and Donna Jessen Cook, ex-wife Joan Trowbridge Cook, stepsons Brian Horan and Jodie Horan, brother Robert Cook, and sisters Ruth Koenigsfeld and Gladys Feldman.

We salute our patriotic father, grandfather, uncle and friend, and are grateful for his service and the sacrifices he made for our country. A graveside celebration of life with full military honors will be held on March 20, 2025 at Riverside Cemetery in Charles City, Iowa.