Roy Cook

Roy Thomas Cook was born March 16, 1940 to John Monroe Roy Cook and Elsie June (Benway) Cook in Lucas County, IA and died September 23, 2015 at Courtyard Estates in Bondurant, IA.

Roy attended Lucas schools and began work after 11th grade to help the family with his father’s poor health.

Roy worked many different jobs throughout his life. He most enjoyed his many years at J.C. Penny’s department store in Chariton. Roy operated a gas station in Lucas on Highway 34. Roy and Leah moved to Osceola in 1966 and he drove a milk truck for Flynn Diary into the early 70’s. He owned and operated the Texaco Truck Stop in Osceola in the 70’s where he spent many hours as a mechanic and running the 24-hour tow truck service along Interstate 35. Roy worked at Jimmy Dean Processing Plant in Osceola before working as the Schwan’s Ice Cream and Tony’s Pizza warehouse manager in Osceola. The summer of 1982, Roy moved his family to Bondurant to take the same role at the Schwan’s Grimes location. Roy retired in 2010 from Southeast Polk Schools as a bus driver. At the truck stop and the warehouse is where he taught Jeff and Lynne many lessons about hard work and helping people.

Roy met Leah Jean Canney in the late 50’s and it didn’t take long for them to decide to marry. They were united in marriage December 31, 1961 at Bethel Chapel Church in Clarke County. They decided early there were too many unwanted babies and adopted Jeffery Scott in 1966 and Lynne Marie in 1972. After they moved to Bondurant, they decided to become involved in the foster care program where they worked several years to help children in need. They adopted three more children: Corey, James and Allen.

Involved with the Assembly of God Church in Osceola and attending King’s Way Cathedral in Des Moines, Roy and Leah decided to follow the Lord’s calling and entered the ministry. Together, they spent many years following God’s lead as co-pastors in churches in Des Moines and ministering at churches in Lenox, IA and Branson, MO. They enjoyed traveling together, visiting people and sharing God’s Word.

After Leah’s untimely death, June 2, 2005, Roy moved from Lenox back to the Des Moines area to be closer to his family. Roy was very proud of his children Jeff (Lori) Cook and Lynne (Andy) Hites, Corey, James, Allen and his grandchildren (Brandon and his wife Kristen, Lindsey, Ashley, Meagan, Haley, Hansen and Harrison) and great grandchildren (Dominic, Gavin and Emma). He was always interested in “what they were up to” and quick to tell anyone, “those are mine”.

Roy dearly missed his wife’s companionship and kindness. Roy is now at home with the Lord and reunited with his wife of 43 years of marriage. Roy is survived by his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and his two sisters: Ann (Larry) Alexander and JoAnn Steinbach. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, wife’s parents (Donald and Corda Canney) and brother in-law Tom Steinbach.

Visitation in honor of Roy will be held from 3 to 5 p.m., Sunday, September 27, 2015 at Hamilton’s Altoona Funeral Home, 105 4th Street SW, Altoona. Services will be 10 a.m., Monday, September 28 also at the funeral home. Roy will be cremated and placed with his wife, Leah Jean, at Bethel Chapel Cemetery in Clarke County in a private family service at a later date. Memorials can be given in Roy’s name.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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