Marshall Loran Cook, beloved dad, PawDaddy, brother, uncle and friend was released from his earthly bonds Thursday, February 15, 2018, in Tyler, Texas with his family at his side. Marshall’s wishes were that he be cremated and his ashes spread around Athens from the back of a pickup truck and the golf course at Athens Country Club. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 31 at 2 p.m. at the Gardens of Athens Community Room, 314 Wood Street, Athens.
Born November 3, 1946, in Athens, Marshall was the son of Loran “Chunk” and Maureen Thomas Cook. His paternal grandparents were N.B. “Boney” and Parthenia “Theney” Driver Cook and maternal grandparents Lloyd J. and Maude Carrifee Thomas, all of Henderson County. He often credited Mammy Gatlin for first teaching him manners and respect for himself and others and the many years spent worshipping his Savior, Jesus Christ, in the Baptist Church. These teachings were reinforced by the unconditional love and support of Grandmother and Grandaddy Thomas and his dear Auntie Joyce. Raised as brothers to cousins Tommy, Larry and Donny Wallace, the bonds formed were to last throughout their lives. There was also a very special love and friendship between “Bubba” and his little sister, Sally.
Marshall is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Jaquelyn Rae (J-Rae) and David Dodd; son-in-law Dave Sharp; four grandchildren Logan (Champ) Dodd, Addie Rae (Princess) Dodd, Claire (Angel) Sharp and Sam (Chief) Dodd; sister and brother-in-law Sally and Randy Greer; nephew Brian Paris; cousins Larry and Bobbie Wallace an their children Jesse and Rachel, Eddie Moseley, Cory Thomas, Pamela Richardson; and devoted caregivers of over six years Kelly and Harold Paul. Extended family members include Mrs. Dwight (Fran) Jones, John Rosenbusch, Bear Gleason, Susan and Skip Johnston, Jack Wells, Amy Wallace Landers, Sean Wallace, Larry Zabienski, Niki Wallace, Rick Castleberry, Shane Worthy, Amy Jo McCracken, the Paul family, the Baker sisters, Mike and Lillie Laney, Susan Paul, Jimbo and Bambina, visitors to Club 18 including Budgie Andrews, Carol Jost and Claudine Blakemore, the residents of the Gardens of Athens complex and many other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Jennifer Gale Sharp, his parents, grandparents, aunt Joyce Thomas Wallace Wells, uncles Elyn (Shorty) Wallace and L.J. Thomas, nephew Brady Paris, cousins Donny Wallace, Tommy Wallace, Paula Kaye Evans Wallace, Gary Thomas, Mike Moseley, Kathryn Zabienski, and “best friend ever” William Ray (Billabong) Givens.
Marshall’s youth was spent in Athens and he always considered Athens to be his home. He attended Athens Public Schools, graduating from Athens High School with the Class of 1964. Summers were consumed by baseball; playing in the Babe Ruth League through Pony League as a member of the Red Sox. He lettered in football, basketball and track while at AHS but he would readily tell you he was a good benchwarmer. He did find his chosen sport later in life – golf. Many remember him as a lifeguard at the Athens city swimming pool. He attended Henderson County Junior College prior to his enlistment in the United States Air Force.
Although recruited to continue his college education while in the Air Force and enter flight school, he was trained to be a fire-control systems technician on the F-100 Super Sabre. He was sent to Vietnam on his 21st birthday in 1967 and was assigned to the 4814th Armament and Electronics Maintenance Squadron located at Phu Cat Air Base as a technician on the F-100 where he did see Bob Hope’s USO show Christmas 1967. The base was attacked twice by the Viet Cong his first three months there. In January 1968 he volunteered to join the 909th Special Operations Squadron as a gunner flying nightly missions on a C-47, a Spooky Bird, out of Phu Cat. These aircraft were also named Puff The Magic Dragons due to the fire and flame of the tracers spewing downward. They were often called in for air support of the ground troops, and many Vietnam Veterans still today consider the airmen flying in the Spooky to be heros because of the assistance they provided during combat. On several occasions Marshall’s plane had to land at other bases due to damage, being struck by ground fire, but in October his luck ran out and his plane crashed. The pilot and three others were killed in the crash and two gunners soon died from their wounds. The two remaining crew members, including Marshall, hid in the jungle for two days and nights before being rescued by Marines. In total, he flew 248 combat missions. His best friend, Bill Givens, was a gunner on another plane and Marshall witnessed his plane crash and all aboard were killed. Their bodies were taken by Charlie, the Viet Cong, and he was listed as MIA for many months but finally joined the 58,000 plus listed as KIA in the non-war in Vietnam.
He often spoke fondly of Bill (Billabong) and their extracurricular activities while stationed at both Lowry AFB in Denver, Colorado, and Luke AFB outside Phoenix, Arizona prior to their deployment to southeast Asia.
Marshall came home from Vietnam decorated with many medals and commendation but was not welcomed home as most Vietnam era veterans were not. He was ridiculed many times for his service and had more than one altercation while in uniform and as a civilian. An entry in his journal quoting a writing from VFW Post 2006 entitled “The Veteran”,“I was, that others did not want to be…I went where others did not want to go and did what others failed to do…I asked nothing from those who gave nothing and reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness should I fail…I have seen the face of terror…I have felt the sting of fear and I have enjoyed the sweet taste of a moments love…but most of all, I have lived times best forgotten…at least today I will be able to say that I am proud of what I am – a veteran…In Honor of Them All!!!”
His military service was completed at Myrtle Beach AFB after marrying his high school sweetheart. He was honorably discharged in December 1969 and moved to Houston, Texas to continue his education at the University of Houston. He graduated with a BS in Psychology in 1972, and he then began a career in sales and sales management. Their first daughter, Jennifer, was born while living in Houston. He was transferred to Birmingham, Alabama, and soon afterward to Memphis, Tennessee, which became his home for many years. His second daughter, J-Rae, was born in Memphis. Unfortunately, they divorced, but Marshall worshipped his two little girls and maintained a good relationship with his daughters. It did not take long for him to bring them up in conversation, boasting about their latest achievements. He was most proud of a courier company he owned in Memphis, Above Average Express, which grew to be the number two courier company in Memphis. Also while in Memphis he realized a lifelong dream of becoming a pilot.
Although he fought the symptoms since his service in Nam, PTSD reared its ugly head in the early 90’s, and through counseling and treatment from the Veterans Administration, he did not win the battle but learned to live with the disease as much as anyone who suffers from it can. He moved back to his hometown, Athens, and struggled to find his place in the world. Eventually, the VA recognized his service and its effects, and he was declared 100% service connected disabled and was able to retire. His time was spent playing golf at Athens Country Club and many courses around East Texas with his friend, John, who called him Duke because of his love for John Wayne. He also took the time to travel and see the USA.
Marshall had always been fond of motorcycles and the freedom experienced when riding, especially Harley Davidson’s. However, it could be said they were not fond of him. He lost his left leg in December 1996 in an accident. But, so typical of Marshall, he learned to walk with a prosthesis and played golf again 5 months after the accident. He resumed traveling… visiting his mother in Waco very often, attended both daughters’ graduation from the University of Tennessee, and witnessed both of them marry very good young men. Later he also was thrilled to meet his grandchildren and loved being called PawDaddy. Another motorcycle purchase in 2008 would be life-altering.
On a beautiful March afternoon while out riding his Harley, he failed to make a corner in the road and suffered a spinal cord injury to his neck which left him a quadriplegic. After many months of treatment by a Chiropractor in Atlanta and the Spinal Cord Injury Unit at the VA hospital in Dallas, he was able to resume his new life in a wheelchair at home in Athens under the watchful and caring eyes of Rick Castleberry. Rick was his caregiver for some time, but due to his own health issues, Rick’s duties were assumed by Kelly and Harold Paul in 2011, once again at his home in Athens. “The Man Upstairs” was involved in this relationship which lasted until his death. The Pauls became family to not only Marshall, but to his family. He often told them they could not leave…they had a 25-year contract…especially after his stubbornness took Kelly to her wit’s end. We do not have the words to express our love and appreciation to them for the devotion shown to him.
Marshall was greatly admired by those who met him because of his can-do attitude after his paralysis. He never gave up and most days lived his life as completely as he could. He was proud of his service to his country and honored to be a Vietnam Veteran.
Marshall had some accidents and illnesses during his lifetime that were life-threatening, but the Man of Steel, called so because of the metal plates in his body, became ill in January and his body could not fight off the infection that consumed him. His heart slowly stopped, and he was called to his heavenly home by his Savior, Jesus Christ. Although our hearts are broken, we rejoice knowing he is kicking up gold dust, walking along the streets of heaven. And probably looking for another motorcycle!
The family would like to thank the doctors and staff of the VA Medical Center in Dallas and Temple, especially the Spinal Cord Injury Unit in Dallas. His home health nurse Jeff Caldwell from SCIU was a welcome monthly visitor and they developed a deep friendship. Also, we want to thank the Thursday afternoon meeting of the Vietnam Veterans PTSD group in Palestine, lead by Gary Welch, Gregorio Kishketon of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, The staff of ETMC Tyler and Athens, and Autry’s Carroll-Lehr funeral home. Sally would also like to thank her friends who have prayed, cried and laughed with her as she did her best to help Marshall through the years.
Charitable donations in Marshall’s memory may be made to The Fisher House at the VA Medical Center Dallas via The Fisher House Foundation at 111 Rockville Pike #420, Rockville, MD 20850, VFW Post 7103 at 3091 County Road 4807, Athens, TX 75752, The Texas Red Ribbon Wish Network at PO Box 24, Malakoff, TX 75148 or the charity of your choice
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” – Isaiah 40:31
Sally, enjoyed reading this; you did good. Will be praying for your family, especially you, during this sad time. Know you will have many good memories.
Sally I was very happy to see Marshall eulogized by close relative and friends. We were close friends for years when he lived in Houston and both veterans of the same era. He was in Vietnam and saw much more than a man needs to see. I was in Korea by the DMZ and saw only Bob Hope. We were together many times, we Road motor cycles. Fished several times out of my boat up to 30 plus miles out. He once let go of the grab rail on the last mile in and ended up spitting out salt water. When we got back to the camp house his wife asked Marshall what’s wrong you’re white as a sheet. I could not hear his answer. Rest In Peace old friend….