Adrian Cook

Adrian Boyd Cook, 97 of Ithaca, died Friday, June 13th at his daughter's home in Stockbridge, Michigan with his loving wife Mary and daughter Carolyn present.

He was born August 19th, 1910 in Gratiot County, the son of Milan and Mildred (Dibble) Cook.
After graduating from Ithaca High School, Adrian worked in Detroit several years becoming a Kroger store manager. Adrian married Florence Mary Harrod on May 28, 1937, in Angola, Indiana.

In the early stage of World War II, Adrian left his job as a Kroger store manager in Detroit and went to work in the Defense Industry. While working on aircraft assemblies, Adrian developed processes that saved the contractor thousands of hours and earned him a substantial monitory award.

Subsequently he served in the US Navy in World War II, after which he returned to Gratiot County and purchased the "old Dibble farm" with his award. This had been his grandfather's farm. It is where he and his wife Mary raised their 3 children, Carolyn, Bob, and Jim.

Life there was very rich and active, where he instilled his intense love of animals, nature and the outdoors into his children.

In the early 1960's he converted the family farm into the public North Star Golf Course, which provided and continues to provide a vital community center friendly and open to everyone. While operating North Star Golf Course he purchased and renovated Overbrook Golf Course near Middleton with his son Jim.

At the age of 77 he sold the golf course. In retirement he and his beloved wife Mary lived in Florida and Michigan. He continued his active and creative life of gardening, golfing, fishing, and providing a beautiful haven for his children to visit. His inquiring mind, and generosity to those he loved are his legacy.

He is survived by his loving wife Mary Cook of Ithaca, his daughter Carolyn Cook & husband, Ben Burkland of Stockbridge Michigan, sons; Robert & Penny Cook of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan and James Cook of Alma, Michigan. A grandson Tyler Cook of Corning, NY. Sisters Shirlee (Conrad) Williams of Plymouth, New Hampshire and Muriel Taylor of Chicago.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Robert (Winnie) Cook of Royal Oak, Michigan and Chet (Bernice) Cook of Pompei. Visitation will be on Monday from 2-8 P.M. with family present 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. and funeral services will be on Tuesday at 11:00 A.M.at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca chapel. with burial at North Star Cemetery. Memorials may be in Adrians name to your local Hospice in his memory.
Read Adrian Cook's Obituary and Guestbook on smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.