To my best friend John,
You will be sorely missed. I will miss our late-night texts concerning the Astros, whether they were winning or losing at that time, because we had expectations. I will miss your stubborn ways, but in turn you touched so many hearts with that attitude and did so much for everyone without regard for yourself because you loved to help and always wanted to put in your opinion. From your activity with Toys for Tots every year to the everyday assistance you provided everyone, you always were so selfless. I will Sorley miss trading leftovers with you when we both had too much food and bringing you crawfish during the season. I will miss stealing your Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Snickers from you to bring home to Meredith because they were both your favorites. I will miss arguing in politics, even though you were the worst representative of your party. John, I will miss your “16 year old school boy” driving skills and the fact that you thought it was ok. Our dogs loved you so much we had to detour from your house because they caught your scent and refused to move on from your house (especially stubborn Odie—one stubborn wanting to see another stubborn).  I will miss your childlike attitude for everything in life and the child at heart perspective you had on life that should be admired by others. I will miss our old school fishing trips and you complaining about it when we went home empty. I will miss our heart-to-heart talks and you educating me with your experiences in life that no textbook could EVER teach anybody. I always thanked you for your service and I knew you took it genuinely. John, I will miss you with all my heart and I am so sorry I wasn’t there for you more often. You have touched so many hearts and your legacy will never be forgotten, in fact it will be portrayed to future generations. I know you are no longer in pain now, but many of the hearts you touched are breaking without you here. We will always think about you and your sacrifices knowing they were not in vain. John, I miss you so much it hurts, but you left impressions on my life and others that you will never be forgotten. Safe travels my friend, I know you are at peace and without pain now. John, you are my best friend and I will NEVER forget you, you saw me through good times and bad times………Go Stros!
Love, Matt & Meredith Bennekemper


Dad's coupe seeing him to his final resting place.

John's 1930 Ford Coupe following his casket in a horse-drawn carriage.

John getting ready for his annual Toys for Tots drop!

Houston National Cemetery

You will be so missed by many of us John, especially all of those that loved cars, motors etc.  This was part of you and you have definitely passed it on to your boys.  You have taught them well.  You were a good dad as well a very special member of the family.  We will miss you greatly.  I know you will continue walking beside all of us but especially Chris and Shawn with each step taken.  You are loved and greatly missed.  With all our love until we are all together again. Anne & Steve>  

Man he was such a great character. I was a teenage kid back in the late 1970s and John owned a hotrod parts shop called John’s RV & Speed. I was always in there talking about cars with John. He was so welcoming and tolerant of the kid I was! We became great friends and spent a ton of time bench racing and messing with his various cars over the many years that have passed. I hope to run into him again somewhere down the road. Godspeed old friend.

My name is Michelle and i was Mr John's primary caregiver in the last days of his life. Mr John was an amazing man. He had been through so much in his life and was so strong ( and stubborn lol). He was so kind to me and always told me how much he appreciated everything I did for him. He called me his angel. Not too many people in my line of work are as thankful and grateful as Mr John was for my services and it just made my heart so glad when he would tell me how much he appreciated what I did for him. He was very smart and we love to watch the Astros together. We were both big Astros fans. He loved to tell me about the war and everything he went through. It was a miracle he survived. And his other disease with the blisters all over his body he showed me pictures. I was like this man has suffered in his life. But he's not suffering anymore. He is at Peace. I miss him greatly. He was a wonderful person and a fantastic friend. 

JOHN HOLLIS COOK

Service

VIETNAM

PURPLE HEART

US ARMY,

SP4

Resting Place

Mementos

Tributes

Word Cloud

undefined

Milestones

Mementos

Historical Documents

Veteran programs and services

More VA resources

Get VA updates

In crisis? Get help now

Contact us