Mr. Cook

Joe A. Cook, 77, of Copperas Cove died on March 21, 2021 at his residence.

He was born in Kempner to Freeman and Amanda Broadway Cook on June 22, 1943.

Joe married Lillian Lemaster on Nov. 6, 1976 in Killeen, and they were married 44 years.

Joe had resided in Copperas Cove for the past 35 years and was a member of the Broad Street Church of Christ in Lampasas.

He served in the U.S. Navy, where he performed underwater demolition and served in Vietnam as an amphibious boat coxswain.

After serving in the Navy, Joe obtained his associate degree in electrical repair from Central Texas College. He worked for Central Music Company in Killeen, as well as the 7-11 Corporation. Later he joined the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division as a corrections officer where he worked for 18 years and retired from the Hughes Unit in Gatesville.

Joe was a member of the American Legion Post 223, the 40-8 Organization and the VFW, where he would volunteer his time and services.

Upon retiring from the TDCJID, he became a substitute teacher for the Copperas Cove Independent School District which he loved. Joe also loved pitching horseshoes and was a member of the Texas Horseshoe Pitching Association.

Joe is survived by his wife, Lillian “Lillie” Cook of Copperas Cove; two sons, Joshua Cook (Sapna) of Mansfield and Jeremy Cook of Lampasas; one foster child, Marilyn Brackett of Copperas Cove; his granddaughter, Shivani Cook of Mansfield; one brother, Edwin Cook (Barbara) of Killeen; and two sisters, Genevieve (“BB”) Kelly and Janice Simpson (Larry), both of Lampasas.

Visitation will be March 27 from 3-5 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home in Lampasas, with cremation to follow.

Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society.