William LeRoy Cook, a resident of Green Valley, Ariz., since 1979, died on July 5, 2008, in Tucson, Ariz. He was born on Sept. 9, 1912, at his farm home near Elmwood to Lenora and W. A. Cook. Predeceasing him were Marjorie, his wife of 65 years; his grandson, Joseph Vielbig; his parents; and three siblings. He was the last living grandson of Joseph and Mary Cook, whose log cabin is in the Cass County Historical Park east of the Cass County courthouse in Plattsmouth. He loved his farm and farming. He was often one of the first farmers in his area to try new soil conservation methods. His farm received the Nebraska Pioneer Farm Award from the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation in 2004 for having been in the same family for over 100 years.
LeRoy was an active church member wherever he lived, and was active in many community organizations. In 1955 LeRoy and his family moved to Tekamah, where he was manager for the Burt County Oil Cooperative for 12 years. He semi-retired in 1967 and became an interim co-op manager for Farmland Industries for 10 years. During this period, he continued to farm part-time. LeRoy and Marjorie moved to Lincoln in 1967 and lived there until 1995, spending their winters in Green Valley from 1979-1995. After Marjorie’s death in 1999, LeRoy married Joyce T. Barker in 2000.
LeRoy is survived by his wife, Joyce; children—Judy (Les) Vielbig, Ventura Calif.; Sharon (Bob) Chamberlin, Green Valley; Mary-Margaret Pursel, Prescott, Ariz.; and Bill (Jean) Cook, Chino Valley, Ariz.; 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service in Elmwood is being planned for the fall, 2008. Memorials may be sent to the LeRoy and Marjorie Cook Scholarship at Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, or the Pearle Arnold Capwell Scholarship at Bryan-LGH School of Nursing, Lincoln.
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