Obituaries

James Hensley Cook

Photo of James Hensley Cook Photo of James Hensley Cook
James Hensley Cook of Pine Bluff passed into Heaven in the early evening of August 19, just one month shy of his 89th birthday. Known to his friends and family as Jim, Daddy, Jimmy, Pappas, and Uncle Jimmy, this quiet, humble man had a great spirit. Growing up in Jonesboro, Jim was a 1942 graduate of Jonesboro High School. Always with a joke to share, a story to tell, a song to sing, Jim brought light and laughter to every room he entered. Jim's family owned the local pool hall, and Jimmy became one of the best pool shooters the city has ever known. Challenged by many but beaten by few, he carried his love of billiards to the end of his life. Other sports he particularly enjoyed were Razorback football and St. Louis Cardinals baseball. There could not have been a more loyal fan. Jim never missed a Cards game, even when hospitalized. The afternoon before his passing, he cheered the Cards to victory in a Sunday afternoon 6-1 romp over the Cubs. And it was sports, of a sort, that led Jimmy to the love of his life, Myra Pierce. Meeting at Keller's swimming pool when he was 14 and she, 13, he said he was head over heels in love from the moment he saw her. Three years later, they married, and Jimmy began an endeavor that would become his lifelong career. With the help of his stepfather, Dick Kushmaul, he became a clerk at the Cotton Belt Railroad. While serving in this first railroad job, Jimmy was called to the military, joining the 13th Army Air Force, known as the "Jungle Air Force" for their service in the southern Pacific. Jimmy and Myra's first child, Cherry, was born as he was shipping out for overseas duty. He was across the country and unable to see his newborn. A gunner on a B-24 Liberator, Jimmy was a valuable asset to the U.S. Military in its fight against Japan in World War II. On one ill-fated mission headed toward a bombing run on Eten Island, Jimmy's plane ran out of fuel and lost power; the crew was forced to ditch. Several of the crew were lost at sea. Jimmy and his surviving crew members helped one another to Hermit Island. They were amazed to be greeted not by unfriendly forces, but by friendly natives. Unbeknownst to the airmen, the crew's families were notified that they were missing in action. Their story was one of wonder, where the natives adopted them, shared their food, cared for the airmen and watched over them until their rescue nearly two weeks later. Chronicled in the Army Times, the story of the plane, its crew, their parachuting into the sea and their island adventures and rescue are still available for viewing online at www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-24/42-41246.html. Cpl. James H. Cook's story is also a part of Arkansas Public Television's "In Their Words," AETN's World War II oral history project. Myra, receiving the telegram that her husband was missing, said she knew he was still alive. "I felt it," she said. "I would have known if he was gone." The World War II hero returned home to meet his now two year old daughter, Cherry, and to be with his beloved Myra. The two went on to become parents to daughters Brenda, Beverly, Darla, and son James, named for his father and also known as Jimmy. Back to the Cotton Belt, Jimmy Cook continued his work as a clerk and worked his way up to fireman, then engineer. He and his family finally settled in Pine Bluff, which was his home for 53 years. He was honored as one of the Cotton Belt's best and safest train engineers, continuing his career until his retirement in 1986. Jimmy Cook loved and appreciated music, and he brought his love of music to his family. Vinyl was king, and the Cooks played phonograph records every evening. The children vividly remember going to sleep to the sounds of the Lettermen, Nat, Perry, Frank, Andy, and Tony. And Jim Cook loved to sing. After the passing of his darling Myra nine years ago, he began joining his military veteran friends – and occasionally his eldest granddaughter – for Friday night karaoke at the VFW. His most requested song: I Left My Heart in San Francisco. Jimmy and Myra were married for 63 years. They left a legacy of love, music, their five successful children, their traveling, and both scraping by and living well. Through it all, gentle Jimmy remained the cornerstone of the family. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Van, his beloved Myra, and his eldest daughter, Cherry, who passed just three weeks before her father. He is survived by his children Brenda (Gene) Tiner of Pine Bluff; Jim (Nancy) Cook of Little Rock; Beverly (Paul) Donehue of Moultonborough, NH; Darla Cook of Mobile, AL, and his son-in-law, Luther Bell of Fouke. He is also survived by ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. On August 19th, nine years of waiting were over. Two hearts were rejoined along with their eldest daughter, Cherry. Though we miss them, we rejoice. Visitation will be held tonight in Pine Bluff at Ralph Robinson & Son from 6 to 8 p.m.. Graveside services will be tomorrow at 2 p.m. at Oaklawn Cemetery in Jonesboro. Friends may sign the online register at www.ralphroninsonandson.com.

Published August 22, 2013

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