John Wesley Cook Jr.

The evening of January 3, 2025 my father’s restless soul found peace. John Wesley Cook Jr. passed away peacefully at the age of 77.
The eldest child of John W. (Jack) and Beulah Gilcrease Cook, Dad was born in Arkansas on August 20, 1947. He grew up in Beeville, Corpus Christi, Devine, and Lytle, Texas. John joined the Navy after high school and served during the Vietnam War. But his greatest pleasure was being a cowboy. Whether working as a ranch hand in New Mexico or Texas, cowboying at the Stockyards or the rodeo in San Antonio, or guiding hunts in the mountains of Wyoming, Dad was in his element around horses, cattle, and wildlife. My brother, Johnny, used to say that the song “Desperado” by the Eagle’s could have been written about Dad and I couldn’t agree more.
He is preceded in death by his father, his mother, an infant sister (Grace Emile), his brother (Tommy), his son (Johnny), and our mother, Patricia.
He is survived by his sister, Patsy Cook of Lytle; daughter, Heather Yanta (Chris) of Devine, daughter in law, Patricia of San Antonio, and stepson, Lance Rogers (Shari) of Nebraska; and six amazing grandchildren: Michael Cook, Ethan Yanta, Bryce Yanta, Jacob Yanta (Maggie), Jessica Rogers, and Jarred Rogers; and a great grandson, Matthew Yanta.
A private celebration of life will be held in the Spring and Dad will be laid to rest near his son in Devine.
In lieu of flowers, we are asking for donations in his honor to be made to Mission Devine, PO Box 42, Devine, TX 78016.
“The LORD cares deeply when His loved ones die.” Psalm 116:15 NL