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William Cook

William Ernest Cook of Huntersville, one of two remaining dairy farmers in Mecklenburg County, passed away Saturday, Oct. 11, of complications from lymphoma. He was 54. A funeral is planned Thursday at 4 p.m. at Cornelius Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Cook’s death came just a week before a “love walk” that friends have organized to raise funds to offset his medical bills. Although Mr. Cook is gone, friends are pressing on with the walk this Saturday, Oct. 18, at Bailey Road Park in Cornelius. Registration, with a recommended donation of $20 for adults, $10 for those under 18, starts at 8:30 a.m., with the walk to begin at 9:30.

Organizers hope to raise at least $50,000, which will they say will cover about half of Mr. Cook’s out-of-pocket expenses for chemotherapy for the treatment of small lymphocytic lymphoma. These  expenses are not covered by health insurance.

Mr. Cook is survived by his wife, Carolyn, an elementary schoolteacher in Mooresville. (See his full obituary below.)

In a notice about the fund-raiser last week, friends said of the Cooks: “They represent the American spirit of hard work, faith, and family. While both are employed full-time, they also handle the challenges of raising two sons (ages 17 and 24) with acute cerebral palsy. Both of these young men are cared for and live at home.”

Organizers are encouraging walkers to seek sponsors. Prizes are being donated for the largest donations raised by adults, students, and pre-teens. Corporate sponsorships are also available, and friends have alread lined up support from Target, Farm Bureau Insurance, Peoples Bank, Robert and Louise Cashion, and In-Motion Marketing.

All funds raised will go directly to the Cook Family.

For additional information and participation opportunities, please contact Amy Morand (704-892-5577), Jon Guttman (704-892-8413), or Carole Eury (704-892-0642).

WILLIAM ERNEST COOK

William Ernest Cook, 54, of Huntersville, NC died Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008 at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center due to complications of lymphoma. He was born on Oct. 6, 1954 in Mooresville to Ernest and Ruby Cook.

William, a Mecklenburg county dairy farmer loved nothing better than working the land and milking his cows. He was a devoted member of the Cornelius Presbyterian Church where he sang tenor in the choir. He led a simple and faith centered life and was inspiration to many who knew him.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Carolyn Bradford Cook; children Erin, Jonathan and Joshua; parents Ernest and Ruby Cook; siblings James Cook of Penhook, Va., Catherine York of Clover, S.C. Sara Holloway of Winchester, Va., and Rusty Cook of San Luis Obispo, Calif.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008 at Cornelius Presbyterian Church with Rev. Carl Dumford, Rev. J.E. Wayland, Jr. and Rev. Bill Heard Officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Zion Community Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday at the Raymer Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Cornelius Presbyterian Church, designated to the Music fund or the Jonathan and Joshua Cook care giving fund PO Box 279, Cornelius, NC 28031.

Filed under: Cornelius, Davidson Events, Davidson deaths, Huntersville