Dan Roy Cook of Palm Bay, Florida went to his heavenly home on March 5, 2015 with his wife of 41 years, Marjorie and step-daughter Cindi Balla & beloved dog Buddy by his side.
Dan was born in Goodrich, Michigan to Anna & Roy Cook. He graduated from Bentley High School in 1965 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served two tours in Vietnam where he worked in Transportation as Convoy Commander. He was a highly decorated Soldier with two Bronze Stars, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Army Commendation Medals & five Army Achievement Medals. After returning from Vietnam, he served on active duty in Germany where his daughter Tina Marie Cook was born. His son Tim Scott Cook was born in Flint, Michigan and pre-deceased him in 1983 at age 16 from MD. He is survived by his daughter Tina Marie Cook Buckner, Step-daughters; Sheri Marie Balla, Cindi Robin Balla and Tami Lynn Balla Dorn (husband Frank Dorn); Grandchildren; Brittany Buckner, Blake Buckner, Christian Lukonen, Jesika Balla, and Brandon Balla and his loyal dog Buddy.
After getting out of the Army in 1971 he married Marjorie Ellen Bogart Balla in 1973. He worked at CSX Railroad in Flint, Michigan from 1972 to 1983 Working his way up from Brakeman to Conductor, Yardmaster then Trainmaster.
He attended Detroit College of Business while working with the Railroad.
After being out of the Army for a few years he realized that the Army was his life and reenlisted in 1985. He served as Supply Sergeant until 1993. Dan received second place three times in an Army Supply Excellence Award competition and received Family of the Year. During that time he served in Germany with his wife Marjorie. He was active in Family Action Committees and Family Support Groups. He received several awards and decorations while serving his country.
Dan took early retirement from the Army in 1993 and he and his wife purchased Whispering Winds Resort on Lake Huron in Oscoda, Michigan. In 2008 they officially retired and moved to sunny Palm Bay, Florida.
Dan was active with his favorite Veterans organizations. He was a life member with VFW 4536 in Palm Bay, FL along with a Legacy Life Member of VFW Post 3735 in Oscoda, MI, a member of AmVets Post 34 in Palm Bay & American Legion Post 81 in Melbourne.
His contagious laughter and jokes will be missed by all of us.
Celebration of Life will be Wendsday March 18, 2015, 5 pm at VFW POST 4536, 4401 SOUTH US1, Palm Bay, FL 32905.
Anyone wishing to send the family a message, share a story or make a donation is asked to visit Dan's memorial page at www.davisseawinds.com.