Kenneth Cook

Kenneth Cook was born to Thurl and Bernice (Bryant) Cook of Plainwell, Michigan on June 8, 1929. It was just months before the October stock market crash that would put a stain on the American spirit as well as the economy. Like many others who survived economic depression and met the challenge of an upcoming war, Ken was shaped by the values of duty and sacrifice that put him in the company of others who have been called “The Greatest Generation.”

Ken grew up secure in the care of his parents, with his father providing for the family’s wellbeing as the city superintendent of Plainwell. As a boy, Ken liked sports and played on a team during each season of the year: football in the fall, basketball during the winter, and baseball in the summer. Ken even found time to play the sousaphone in the marching band. On game nights, Ken would rush off the field at halftime to quickly change from his football uniform to his marching band uniform to perform at halftime with his fellow band members. Obviously, as soon as the halftime show ended, Ken was rushing back to the locker room to get back into his football gear and be ready to play the second half. He continued to enjoy sports throughout his adult life and was an especially big fan of University of Michigan football and their legendary coach, Bo Schembechler. Each Saturday in the fall, Ken would watch the Wolverines, all decked out in Maize and Blue. Truth be told, his moods were a reflection of the team’s record: Ken was happy when they won, sad when they lost.

After graduating from Plainwell High School in 1947, Ken entered the United States Air Force during the Korean War and was stationed in Japan. Following his honorable discharge, he enrolled at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan where he earned both a degree in teaching and in business. Upon his graduation, Ken took as job as a teacher but soon found working with children really didn't suit him. Soon, Ken found his true vocation as a salesman working at several car lots over the years in the Kalamazoo area and made it his career. Over the years, Ken became very successful at selling automobiles, in large part because of his reputation as an honest man. He was always straight with buyers and that paid off in referrals and repeat business. When he eventually retired in 2000 from the Maple Hill Auto Group, he had earned the respect of coworkers as well as customers.

Another great consequence of Ken’s salesmanship was that he met the woman who became his wife, Shirley Witsaman. She had just gotten her drivers license and was looking to buy a car. Shirley came away from the auto lot with a friendship that turned into love and marriage. The couple made their vows on April 22, 1961, the happiest day of their life until their daughter came into their lives through adoption. Ken was thrilled to be the father of little Maribeth, and he loved her dearly.

Ken Cook lived a robust life, whether cheering his beloved Wolverine team to victory or rough-housing with his current dog "Rudy," a corgi beagle mix as well as his previous canine companion, Bo. Yet his greatest joy was his family who experienced the love of a devoted husband, caring father and beloved brother.

Members of Ken’s family include his daughter Maribeth (Jim) Haseley, brother, Dale Cook and his companion Zelma Largent, sister in law Elma Witsaman, nieces Daleen Murphy, Chris (Ken) Carlson, Denise (Steve) Lewis, nephew Mark (Lorna) Witsaman and his beloved dog Rudy along with special friends Chris Cronk and Berry Cochran. Visit Ken’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read his life story, archive a memory or photo and make a donation to Borgess VNA Hospice or Kalamazoo Area Humane Society.