Orville "Dean" Cook

Orville “Dean” Cook parted from this life on Monday, June 17, 2024, at the age of 84, in his home in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He resided there with the love of his life, Stella “Kay” Cook, with whom he shared 63 years of marriage.

Dean was born in Newport, Arkansas on August 3rd, 1939. He was the son of Chester and Lucille Cook. Dean was the second oldest of 7 children. Dean had 3 brothers and 3 sisters. In 1957, Dean graduated High School from Kendrick, Oklahoma. In 1961, only after 2 weeks of being married, he started a career with the United States Army National Guard. He proudly served his country for 22 years and retired from the Army in 1991. Upon retirement, Dean’s title was 1st Sergeant of the 1st Battalion 245th Aviation Special Operations Airborne in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Dean and Kay had 4 children: Connie Kay, JoAnna Rae, Carolyn Reneé, and Russell Dean. They made their 1st home in Davenport, Oklahoma where they welcomed Connie and JoAnna. They later moved to Fredrick, Oklahoma, and then to Pawnee, Oklahoma, where they welcomed Carolyn and Russell.

In 1985, Dean graduated from Oklahoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. In 2010, Dean retired from the United States NRCS Department of Agriculture after serving 46 years. During this stent with the government, Dean worked for the soil conservation department as a civil engineer. Dean helped design and construct flood control dams/watersheds all over the state of Oklahoma.

Dean enjoyed spending time with his family, gardening, watching old western shows, farming, taking care of animals, camping, and fishing. In his younger years, he was an excellent water skier, and taught all 4 of his children how to do so. He was very passionate about his work with soil conservation and would talk to anyone who would listen about a watershed or pond he built. Dean also served many years on the district 3 water board for Pawnee County. Dean had many nicknames starting with “Corky” in his youth, to “Dean-O”, to “Papa Dean”, "Poppy", and even “Dean-A-Bean”; very rarely going by his given name of Orville. Dean was strong in his faith. He raised all his children in the Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon. Dean loved the Lord and was a faithful Bible reader. He greeted everyone he knew with a “Howdy”, and a big smile.

Dean is survived by his wife, Kay Cook of Stillwater; his 4 children, Connie Nicholson and spouse, Richard Nicholson, JoAnna Mitchell and spouse, Stephen Mitchell, Carolyn Flynn, and Russell Cook and spouse, Nikki Cook; 10 grandchildren, Andrew Mitchell and spouse, Miranda Mitchell, McKayla Cook, Ashlynn Towne and spouse, Andrew Towne, Meagan Nicholson, Corbin Flynn, Aubree Nicholson, Jayda Cook, Alex Mitchell, Rustyn Cook, and Millie Flynn.

He is proceeded in death by his grandson, Casey Nicholson; siblings, Jim Cook, Pat Williams, Glenda Hall, Dennis Cook, Gary Cook, and Brenda Cook Hayes; and his parents, Chester and Lucille Cook.