John A. Cook

John Allen Cook, better known as Big John, decided that Monday, December 21, 2020, at Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City, was going to be the day he won his battle with cancer.  You see, Big John met his challenges head on and this past year was no exception.  He shared memories with his granddaughter and made sure his family knew what he wanted and in the end he did it his way.

John’s story begins in Fairfax, Missouri, with Robert “Bob” and Karolyn "Kay" Watts Cook welcoming their first child, a son, into this world on September 16, 1956.  It wasn’t long before John became a big brother to Steve and the adventures between the boys soon began.

The Cooks moved to Stover when the boys were young.  It was in the third grade that John spied a fellow classmate and it was then and there he knew he had met his future bride.  It took a few years and several breakups but on December 7, 1974, John married the girl of his dreams, Brenda Cornett, sharing the next 46 years by each other’s side.

School was not really John’s thing but work was and it was in Kansas City that he found his calling as a Union Carpenter.  For more than 30 years John’s work can literally be seen in the Kansas City skyline with the high-rises that appear downtown.  His work was not limited to Missouri but can also be found in Iowa, Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma and Kansas, with many of the city's skylines shaped by the buildings he helped construct.   He was fortunate in his work that his wife and young daughter, Punkie, were able to travel with him and many memories were made along the way.

Growing up in Morgan County, John had an appreciation for everything outdoors.  Hunting arrowheads, being at the lake or taking a swim at Proctor Springs, were all part of not only his childhood but something he shared with his daughter and grandchildren.  He looked forward to camping and canoeing trips with his brother, grandson, nephews and friends and was actually planning on the annual Cook outing in January of 2021.

He had a green thumb; gardening was his labor of love and growing award winning State Fair Champion Zinnia’s was something he was very proud of.  His interests were varied; enjoying everything from pedal bikes to motorcycles and attending 100’s of concerts from rock to country.

John and Brenda never missed a dirt track race, supporting local driver Fabio (aka Kyle Smith) even when he was going through his chemo treatments.  He was a man who never took himself too seriously and always looked for an opportunity to bring a smile to someone’s face, whether it was with a quick comeback or driving around with his head out the window “drying his hair.”

John made every moment count and time spent with his family, human and canine, was his greatest enjoyment.  Whether it was “writing a book” with Baylie or listening to Jett play his guitar, his grandkids were his pride and joy.

John’s legacy will continue with his wife, Brenda Cook; his daughter and son-in-law, Punkie and Joe Stevenson; his grandchildren, Baylie Jo Stevenson and fiance Kyler Beckmann and Jett Stevenson and fiancee Meg Sumner and his first great grandchild (who is due in January) Acey Allen Stevenson all of Stover. John is also survived by his mother, Kay Cook of Stover; his brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Jenny Cook of Belton; sister-in-law, Vicki Cornett of Slater; brother-in-law, Pat Cornett of Independence; his Aunt, Nancy Cable of Versailles; his nephews and their wives, Jonathan and Tiffany Cook and Jacob and Crystal Cook, a great niece and nephew, Hailey and Wesley Cook, along with other relatives and many friends.

John was preceded in death by his father, Bob Cook, a niece, Jessica Cook and his favorite canine, Trouble, his late dog.

In keeping with his wishes, he was cremated.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 noon to  1:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 2 at the Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home in Stover.  Services will immediately follow at 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home with Kevin Barker and Kyle Branch officiating.  Interment will be in the Stover Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Cook Family to assist with final expenses.  In keeping with the Morgan County Health Department recommendations, social distancing will be observed.

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Visitation Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home-Stover Saturday, January 02, 2021 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM 204 W. 3rd St.
Stover, Missouri 65078 Directions Funeral Service Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home-Stover Saturday, January 02, 2021 1:30 PM 204 W. 3rd St.
Stover, Missouri 65078

Burial will follow in the Stover Cemetery.

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