Raphael A. Cook

Kansan, Wednesday, March 9, 1938


Ray A. Cook was born on a farm near Whitewater, Kansas, May 8, 1888, and after a life span of 49 years, 9 months and 28 days, passed away at Bethel Hospital in Newton, March 6, 1938. He was the son of Z. T. and Katherine West Cook, both of whom, together with two older brothers, Granville and Will, preceded him in death, so that Ray was the last of the immediate family. Following the usual grades in the rural schools, he attended the Whitewater High School from which he graduated and thereafter completed a course in the Wichita Business College.

In the spring of 1909 the family moved to Newton, Kansas. He started his business life as an employee of the first Newton Gas Company. On November 2, 1910 he was joined in marriage with Geraldiine B. Shepherd and they established their home in Newton. Three children were born to this union, two of whom, a daughter Margaret, now a student in Kansas State College, Manhattan, and a son, Lawrence, in the Newton High School, with their mother, live to mourn his early passing. A first daughter, Marian, died at the age of six years.

After a comparatively brief period, employment with the Newton Gas Company Ray resigned to enter the office of the Railroad Building, Loan and Savings Association, February 1, 1912. This connection continued without interruption, having progressed successively through various responsible offices to that of Assistant Secretary and Treasurer of the institution, which office was held at the time of his death.

Funeral services were held March 8, 1938 at the First Presbyterian Church, Newton, conducted by the Rev. Frederick E. Black, his pastor. Pall bearers were :C. O. Conkey, Charles C. Hart, W. E. Hart, Ed Love, Harold Dunlap, Everett McCann. Interment was in the family lot in Greenwood Cemetery.