James Edward Cook, age 70, of Tavares, Florida passed away on Saturday, November 3, 2018. He was born in Toledo, Ohio January 19, 1948.
He graduated from Otsego High School and Penta Career Center in 1967. Jim was a proud member of the Future Farmers of America, the Otsego High School Chapter and also received his pilot’s license at a very young age. Jim was a 3rd generation farmer and operated Cook Farms, Inc. with his family until 1989 in Weston, Ohio. He was also co-founder of Sun Seed, Inc, also in Weston.
Jim was 32nd degree Mason with the Weston Lodge #560 and a member of Zenobia Shrine Temple in Toledo Ohio. In 1989 Jim and his family moved to Lake County Florida where he operated a rental business in Ormond Beach, Florida. Jim graduated from the Lake Technical College Institute of Public Safety and received the Top Gun award for his shooting skills.
On February 10, 1999, Jim was hired as a deputy sheriff for the Lake County Sheriff’s office working in the Lake County jail, eventually transferred to run the Sheriff’s work farm. Jim retired from the Sheriff’s office after 16 years of service on July 18, 2015.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra Donnells Cook of Tavares, Florida; brother, Rodney Cook (Shannon) of Custer, Ohio; sister, JoAnn Guida (Jim) of New Philadelphia, Ohio; daughter, Chelsea (Cook) Andrei (David); son, Skyler James Cook; daughter, Sarah Ann Robinson (Keith); grandchildren, Avory Andrei, Logan Andrei, Landon (Ty) Andrei, Blaize Andrei, Marley Huelskamp, Jackson Huelskamp, Luke Huelskamp, Ben Huelskamp, Emily Robinson, Jeb Robinson, Wyatt Robinson. He was preceded in death by his mother, Thelma (Petteys) Cook; father, Blythe Cook; daughter, Andrea Blythe Huelskamp; maternal grandparents, Charles and Ruby Petteys; paternal grandparents, James and Bertha Cook. He was dearly loved by family and friends in Ohio as well as in Florida where he has resided for the past 30 years.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 10, 2018 from 10:00AM until 1:00PM at Hickory Point, Tavares.
All are welcome to attend. Arrangements have been entrusted to Steverson, Hamlin & Hilbish Funerals and Cremations, 226 E. Burleigh Blvd., Tavares, FL 32778, (352)343-4444. Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall at www.steversonhamlinhilbish.com.
