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By BARBARA DENMAN
Florida Baptist Convention
WAYCROSS, GA (FBC) —Robert S. Cook, who retired as director of the Florida Baptist Convention’s Family Life Department in 1989, died Nov. 19 at his home in Waycross, Ga. The 85-year-old had been in 24-hour home hospice care for several weeks.
Prior to assuming the position in the newly created Family Life Department in 1983, Cook served as director of the Convention’s Church Training Department from 1969-82.
He served the denomination for 37 years in a variety of roles with the Sunday School Board (now LifeWay Christian Resources) and local churches in Texas. After his retirement he continued to champion the cause of senior adults teaching and speaking at countless church, associational and denominational events.
Born Aug. 29, 1924 in West, Texas, Cook received two doctorates and a master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and a bachelor degree from Baylor University. He authored two books and many articles for Southern Baptist publications.
Bill Carmichael, retired director of the Discipleship and Family Department, who served as Cook's associate said his mentor was an encourager who often called his friends and acquaintances in Florida and throughout the SBC.
“Bob had a heart bigger than the world. Your needs and your concerns were more important than anything else,” Carmichael said.
“There was a light side with Bob,” he added. “He was joyful, celebrative and creative.” Cook always wore a pair of plaid pants to conferences and meetings which soon became his trademark. “There was no one else in the world like Bob Cook.”
Cook suffered from Scoliosis and pulmonary disease in his later life.
He is survived by his wife, Helen, of Waycross; a daughter, Barbara, who lives in Atlanta, Ga.; and a son, Randall, in Jacksonville Beach.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, Nov. 23 at 11 a.m. in the Mitchell Chapel at the Baptist Village Retirement Center, 2650 Carswell Ave., Waycross, Georgia. Viewing will be at 10 a.m. Eric Matheson will officiate. Interment will follow at 2 p.m. in Jacksonville’s Veteran’s National Cemetery with Carmichael presiding.
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