Obituary of Thomas Harry Cooke

Thomas Harry Cooke, age 64, departed this life on January 2, suddenly and unexpectedly, about 15 minutes after arriving home from being released from Parkridge Hospital. He was born in Olean, New York, but spent most of his younger days in rural, picturesque western Pennsyvlania (Eldred). He graduated from Otto-Eldred High School in 1968 and went on to graduate from Westminster College, in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, majoring in Economics. The majority of his working career was spent in the data processing field, as he became interested in this new technology while managing the data center at Westminster. Throughout his working career, he was employed in management of data processing departments in various locations: Robertshaw Controls headquarters, Richmond, Virgina; Lux Time Division of Robertshaw Controls in Lebanon, Tennessee; Mechanical Equipment Co. in New Orleans, Louisiana; BIC in Flowood, Mississippi; and UNUM of Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he was employed for 30 years and was scheduled to retire from on February 20, 2015, had he lived long enough. He served our country in the United States Army Reserve from 1972-1978. He was a long time member of the Hixson Ward of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He was a loving husband to his wife of 32 years, Wanda Jo Richardson Cooke, father to Bethany Louise Cooke Harry (Stephen), Alexander Thomas Cooke (Zsuzsanna), Corey Drew Cooke, all of whom survive him. He was blessed with 3 wonderful grandchildren: Rachel Renee Harry, Emily Grace Harry, and Samuel Thomas Cooke, who also survive him. Thomas leaves behind one sibling, Ella Mae (Cookie) Pollier of Wexford, Pennsylvania, and nieces, Heather Pollier, Paige Lin, and Amber Morrisroe, and a host of great nieces and nephews, who also survive: Scott & Jack Pollier, Taylor Pollier, Emily, Michelle, Kevin, and Alycia Lin. Preceding him in death were his parents, Thomas Taylor and Emily Virginia Cooke; his teenage son, Caleb Logan Cooke; and one tiny granddaughter, Eva Zsuzsanna Cooke, who died shortly after birth last year. The family would like to express special appreciation to his neighbor, Vi Shrum, R.N., who performed CPR on Tom and tried her best to resuscitate him prior to the arrival of an EMT. Appreciation also goes out to his church friends who rushed to the home to assist his wife in her time of need following his death. Visitation with the family will be from 4-8pm on Monday, January 5, at the funeral home. Funeral services will be conducted at 10AM EST Tuesday, January 6, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3010 Hamill Rd., Hixson, TN 37343. A graveside service for family and friends will be held at 3:30pm CST at Ary Cemetery, Linden, TN on Tuesday, January 6. Arrangements are by Legacy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 8911 Dallas Hollow Road, Soddy-Daisy 37379 843-2525 Share your memories, stories and photos at www.legacyfuneralhome.com.