Paul Duane Cook

Paul Duane Cook was born to Eva Lee Herrington Cook and Henry Ulma Cook near Swartz, Louisiana on June 21, 1927, and passed at age 97 on December 23, 2024, with family by his side in his home in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Even as a child, it was evident that he did not have a lazy bone in his body. Whether he was working summers at a country grocery store, or laying brick, he enjoyed working with his hands. He joined the Marines and was given an Honorable Discharge due to a hole in his ear drum. His attention to detail, precision, and mathematical abilities led him to attend Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University) where he received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and later the status of Professional Engineer. While at OSU, he met Wanda Long on a blind date. He would often say, “that’s the best thing that ever happened to me.” On December 18th, 1949, they would begin their journey as husband and wife, most recently celebrating 75 years together. From their union, they were blessed with four children. Duane instilled the values of humility, integrity, and humor in the lives of his children. Whether it was umpiring Little League games, designing structures for his family, or lending a hand to a neighbor or his church, he was always generous with his time and talents. Duane loved his children dearly, who respected him as “Dad,” and when they became adults, their relationships deepened, and they considered each other dear friends. In March 1984, he retired as Principal Project Engineer for Phillips Petroleum Company where fellow employees, respecting his professional contributions, sent him off with personalized poems riddled with dry humor. One notable leisure achievement was Duane bowling a 225 triplicate in a Phillips Bowling Tournament. Duane was an avid fisherman, which made living on Lake Eufaula a dream come true. He cherished all the family gatherings that took place at the lake, and all the special moments he spent admiring God’s creation with Wanda. One of his greatest interests was Big Band music from the 1940s. Duane held a life-long love for it and often would spontaneously sing his favorite songs. This brought comfort and smiles to all who were around. Duane was an OSU sports fan and enjoyed watching games with Wanda. As a Christian man, he and Wanda would dedicate their mornings to devotion and prayer. Their faith in God was integral in their marriage and carried them through life’s highs and lows. He was a beloved husband, dad, son, brother, grandpa, uncle and friend. Preceding him in death were his parents, Henry and Eva Lee Cook, brother Maurice Cook, sister Ulma Jean Stevenson. Duane will be missed by his wife, Wanda, their four children and their spouses Bruce & Liz, Dennis & Sarah, Linda & Tim, Laura & Mark, and grandchildren Amber, Byron, Jesse, Bryan, Michelle, Claire, Kelsey, and great grands Asher, Paisley, Scarlett, Charlie, Ripley, Benjamin, Meadow, Stevie, Sydney, and Alexander. Special thank you to Good Shepard Hospice and Counterstone Caregiving. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Duane’s honor to East Cross Church, Bartlesville, OK.

Paul Duane Cook

June 21, 1927 - December 23, 2024