Eldon V. Cook

Eldon V Cook, 89, of Olathe, Kansas formally of Stilwell and Kansas City, Kansas died peacefully at the Olathe Hospice House Thursday evening June 23, 2016. On June 9 he suffered a massive stroke while having lunch with a dear friend in Versailles, Missouri. The complications from that event were more than his body could repair. He was a wonderful husband, dad, papa and friend. Funeral services will be held 11:30 am., Wednesday June 29, 2016 at Maple Hill Funeral Home 3300 Shawnee Drive, Kansas City, Kansas. Friends may visit the family prior to the service from 10-11:30 am at the chapel. Burial will follow services at Maple Hill Cemetery. Eldon was born October 22, 1926 in Kansas City, Kansas, the son of Geneva Linaweaver and Clyde Cook. He grew up in the Argentine area of KCK and graduated from Argentine High School in 1945. On January 20, 1951 he married Gloria Ann Beach whom he had met at the Argentine/Rosedale football game on a blind date. Together they had two children, Debra Ann and Marc Eldon. Eldon was an area home builder and real estate developer. The Cook and Southerland Construction Company was a partnership formed in 1955 and for over forty years built homes all over the greater Kansas City area. In 1985 Eldon retired from building, but continued assisting his son and son-in-law with their business, as well as the development of River Ridge Farms until the mid-1990’s. Gloria Cook passed away four days shy of the couple’s 50th wedding anniversary. Because of deafness he had suffered as a child, Eldon decided to have the Cochlear implant procedure so that he could maintain an active life. It was at the Midwest Ear Institute that he met his second wife, Mary Lee Miller, also an implant patient. Eldon and Mary were married on June 8, 2002 in Topeka, Kansas. Eldon loved boating and fishing and anytime he and Gloria could get away you would find them at their home on the Lake of the Ozarks. He received his 50 year membership pin from Ben Hur Lodge #322; was a 32nd degree member of the Scottish Rite and a member of Overland Park’s Abdallah Shrine. He also was a long time member of the Turner Lion’s Club and a past member of the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City. Eldon was proceeded in death by his parents, his wife Gloria and his brother Harold. Survivors include Mary of the home, his children Debbie (Steve) Dice of Fontana; Marc (Tracy) Cook of Stilwell; grandchildren Steve Dice, Jennifer Williams, Travis Carpenter, Brad Cook, Haley Cook and five great-grandchildren. Also left to mourn this loss are Mary’s children Becky Miller, David Miller, Carl Miller; and granddaughters Carly Foley and Amy Carpenter. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the Shriners Hospital for Children: 2900 Rocky Point Dr. Tampa, FL 33607.

Tributes

Eldon V. Cook

October 22, 1926 - June 23, 2016