James Cook

James Cook,66, of Alpine, died peacefully on November 17, 2014, shortly after being diagnosed with cancer. James is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Roxine, and their three children: daughter Renee Tudyk and her husband Louis and their children Lindsey and Ryan of Pleasanton, Texas daughter Stacia Chapman and her husband Shawn and their children Hunter, Abigail, and Madison of Conroe, Texas and son Jim of Alpine. He is also survived by his brothers Jeff Cook, Kerry Cook, and Bryan Cook, all from the Ft. Worth area his motherinlaw Katy Norman along with numerous cousins, nieces an nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Horace and Maxine Cook, and sister Patsy Cook.

James was born in Pecos, Texas on February 10, 1948. Upon James graduation from Pecos High School, his family moved to Hurst, Texas, where his dad took a job with Bell Helicopter in Ft. Worth. There, James met Roxine where they were both members of the Civil Air Patrol. James and Roxine married in 1969. James worked as a draftsman at a steel company in Dallas until he and Roxine decided that they would rather raise their children in a small town. So in the summer of 1980, they moved to Alpine.

That summer, with no previous construction experience, James built a house for his family. That led to the beginning of Cook Construction Company, which James owned and operated until his death.

James and Roxine spent many good years together. Over the past 20 years they had fun visiting historic sites in the Southwest, especially along old Route 66. They also enjoyed spending time with their kids and grandkids and watching Alpine Cowboys games.

James had many, varied interests. He earned his Amateur Ham Radio license as a teenagerthis was an interest he maintained throughout his life. Upon moving to Alpine, he joined the Big Bend Amateur Radio Club, where he met some of the best friends of his life. He loved weather and monitoring storms. he was fascinated by space and particularly enjoyed observatories. James even built two race cars and had a stint in offroad rally racing. Being a private pilot in the 1960s kept him in the air, yet he also loved exploring at ground level through Geocaching trips with his wife.

James was a good and loving husband, father, and friend. In his last weeks, he commented several times about what a great life he had, with a good family and good friends.

Funeral services will be at the First United Methodist Church in Fort Davis on Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. with burial to follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Fort Davis. James will be buried alongside his grandparents, James R. and Maude Cook. Pallbearers will be Dave Cockrum, Robert Olazaba, Dan Rossi, Justin Rossi, Ryan Tudyk, and Bob Ward. Alpine Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

James was a longtime member of the Big Bend Amateur Radio Club BBARC and requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Radio Club. Donations can be sent to: BBARC, co Bob Ward, 1402 N. 5th St., Alpine, Texas 79830

The family would like to thank everyone for the wonderful acts of kindness and generosity shown to James and his family over the past several weeks.

Service

Funeral Service

First United Methodist Church
Church Street
Fort Davis, TX  79734
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
11 a.m.

Cemetery

Hillcrest Cemetery
East Cemetery Road
Fort Davis, TX  79734

Memorial Contributions

c/o Bob Ward
Alpine, TX  79830