Albert Elmer Cook, Jr., Dighton
October 22, 1930 - October 22, 2023
DIGHTON - Albert Elmer Cook, Jr. was born October 22, 1930. He went to the Lord on his 93rd birthday, October 22, 2023. Albert was the son of Elmer Albert and Nina Ethel (Lamb) Cook.
Al graduated from Wellington High School with the Class of 1948.
Working construction until 1950, Albert joined the United States Navy in 1950. After serving in the Navy on a munitions ship, the USS Titania, during the Korean War, Al returned to Mayfield, KS, and married Marilyn Ann Metzen on August 28th, 1956. Marilyn died January 19, 2008.
Al and Marilyn moved to Dighton, KS, in 1959, Al to teach as the shop teacher at Dighton High School and Marilyn as a cosmetologist at the Green Bonnet.
After 36 years of teaching industrial arts, coaching football, cross-country, and track, Al retired only to begin serving on the school board for an additional 24 years. During that time, he served also on the Kansas Association of School Boards Risk Management committee.
He served the community as a member of the American Legion Post #190 and as past commander of the Dighton VFW Post. As a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church and a 3rd Degree Knight of Columbus, he served his church. In addition, Albert had a custom-cutting business that harvested primarily in Summer and Lane County.
Al and Marilyn invested their entire lives in the Dighton community where they raised seven children.
They are survived by Randy and Lenora Cook, Garden City, KS; Mike and Jenny Cook, Augusta, KS; Greg and Lorinda Cook, Tribune, KS; Rhonda Cook and Amy Carroll, Downingtown, PA; Becky and Steve Daniels, North Attleboro, MA; Mark and Signe Cook, Ellinwood, KS; and Marla and Mike Porch, Halstead, KS. Al and Marilyn were blessed with 20 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren and students too numerous to mention that they considered “family.”
Albert Cook cherished and was dedicated to the parents, students, and people of Dighton that he was so honored to teach, know, and share life with.
Visitation for Albert Cook will be Thursday, October 26, 2023, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Friday, October 27, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Boomhower Funeral Home, Dighton, Kansas. Vigil and rosary will be Friday, October 27, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Dighton, Kansas. Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Theresa Catholic Church, with Rev. Donald Bedore officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Dighton Memorial Cemetery.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Lane County Hospital or Dighton High School, both in care of Boomhower Funeral Home, P.O. Box 891, Dighton, Kansas 67839.