of Little Rock, AR

June 12, 2016

Bobby Joe Cook, 84, went to be with his Lord and Savior on June 12, 2016. Bobby was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on January 13, 1932, to John Milton and Otha Tracy Cook. John Milton was a dedicated Christian who served many years in Juvenile Hall ministry. He passed away when Bobby was only 23. BJ graduated from Little Rock Senior High School in 1950 and served in the Air Force in Korea beginning October 10, 1950. He received the Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal, and was honorably discharged on July 15, 1952. He married Monica Rose Moore on April 26, 1953, beginning a happy 51 year marriage. After Monica went to be with Jesus, Bobby was married to Abbie Rose Rauch Hollinger on March 25, 2006. On October 2, 2011, Abbie also went to Heaven.

Bobby felt called by God and attended the Missionary Baptist Seminary in the late 50s, pastoring two small Arkansas churches until feeling God was leading him into a different type of service. He was a longtime member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, serving as a deacon and Sunday School teacher most of his adult life. He was dearly loved by his Grace Class, with whom he and Monica enjoyed most of their close friendships. He also was a very dependable bass on the back row of the Antioch choir, sometimes taking a little nap when the sermon was not completely riveting.

Bobby's other great passion was his family. He and Monica raised two fabulously awesome daughters, Jana Lynn Cook of Little Rock and Pamela Jo Cook Jackson of Garland, TX. BJ also very much loved and enjoyed his other kids Tom Jackson of Garland and JR Thomas of Little Rock. He had three grandchildren, Jennifer Rose Jackson Keys (Mesquite), Thomas 'Jonathan' Jackson and Joshua Andrew Jackson (Garland). These grandchildren, shockingly, surpassed the daughters in awesome-ness! THEN, a new grandchild, Brandon, (also awesome) joined them; and Bobby subsequently had his first great-grandbaby precious baby Jackson!! Bobby dearly loved seeing pictures of little Jack.

Bobby had a long career at Hoerner (now Champion) Box Company. During downsizing, he took early retirement and worked at several jobs to support his family before building a successful vending business, basically from scratch. Through the years, Bobby managed his finances extremely well (think 'tight as the bark on a tree' or keep all the twist ties you've ever used or touched in a drawer). This made it possible for him to splurge on his wife and family. It IS true that some of the meat or condiments he felt were 'just fine' were quite possibly, not. He was extremely handy and conscientious with his work, and enjoyed including his grandkids every time he could. He retired to help Monica care for the grandchildren which included copious trips to Wendy's, Sam's and the Old Mill. He also continued to support his church as a handyman for several years.

Bobby is preceded in death by Monica and Abbie, his parents, and siblings John Milton Cook, Jr., Maurine Cook Perdue, Weyman Cook and Rachel Cook Owen. Bobby is survived by Jan (J. R.) and Pam (Tom) and the grandkids; two sisters, Hazel Huskey of Sacramento and Joyce Williams of Citrus Heights, CA; and two stepchildren, Kerry Howard of Benton and Buce Hollinger (Sylvia) of West Virginia.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 18, 2016 at Antioch Baptist Church, 5300 Stagecoach Road, Little Rock; Dr. Carroll Koon officiating, Bob Slagley assisting. Interment will be at Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery after the service. Visitation will be held at Roller Chenal Funeral Home, Little Rock, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, June 17, 2016. Memorials can be made to Antioch Baptist Church or the Missionary Baptist Seminary, 5224 Stagecoach Rd, Little Rock.

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