September 17, 1935 ~ October 20, 2013
Louis V. (L.V.) Cook passed away at age 78 from complications of COPD on Sunday, Oct. 20 at the Haysville Healthcare Center. He was born September 17, 1935, at Rantoul, Kansas, the son of Perry J. and Opal M. (Gates) Cook. Very soon after his birth, Louis’ father moved the family to Caldwell taking a position as a printer and linotype operator at the Caldwell Messenger newspaper office.
Louis was a heavy equipment operator. He chose his life’s profession at a very early age. When he was eight years old, he saw a man operating a Caterpillar bulldozer. He was mesmerized by the ‘dozer’s awesome ability to move huge objects. Early the next morning, he went to the site and watched the ‘dozer work. He was totally captivated by its immense power. Louis stayed there all day and long after the operator had shut down and gone home. His father finally found him as the sun was going down, sitting on the inactive ‘dozer, working the controls, making the big machine work in his mind. Walking back home, after receiving several disciplinary whacks, he looked up at his father with tears in his eyes and said “Daddy, some day I’m going to be the master of all that power!” He was mesmerized by huge machines that generated immense power and throughout his life was driven to seek these machines and control their power and make them produce efficiently.
After high school Louis enlisted in the Air Force and was trained as a jet engine mechanic. He got his first taste of immense power when, as an aircraft crew chief, the pilot gave him control during many test flights of his “bird.” It was during his service that he experienced the tremendous power of a B-47 as he pulled the entire bank of throttles back to 100% and let the aircraft’s six big jet engines roar at full power.
Upon his discharge from the Air Force, he enrolled in a heavy equipment trade school in Des Moines, Iowa. At his graduation from that school, he was asked to stay on as an instructor. Many of his students became lifelong friends. While he enjoyed his position as an instructor, he yearned to actually run the equipment, to control the power and make it produce. He left the school and operated an astonishing number of different kinds of equipment before retiring. His favorite was a gigantic backhoe with which he dug coal in an open pit mine. It had a bucket big enough to hold an automobile.
Louis was a passionately ardent motorcycle enthusiast owning one or two, and sometimes three, motorcycles at any given time throughout his lifetime beginning with the first Cushman scooter he had in high school.
Louis had no children. He is survived by a sister, Lois K. (Cook) Croft of Clearwater; a brother, Rodney J. Cook of Caldwell; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be given in L.V.'s name to Maude Carpenter Children's Home in Wichita, and sent in care of Schaeffer Mortuary, 6 North Main, Caldwell, KS 67022.
Following cremation, private family inurnment will be held.
Leave Condolences
Condolences
Jerry and Marilyn Houlden
Family and Friends - 10/21/2013
Dear Rod and Lois,
We are so sorry to learn of your brother's passing. It is never easy to loose a loved one. Our prayers are with you. We missed you at Homecoming, Rod. You have a lot on your plate at the moment. Sending our love.
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Vicki May
Family and Friends - 10/21/2013
Rest in Peace, Uncle LV. We are blessed to have so many wonderful memories together. You will always light up the room when I think of you. We love you.
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Debbie Gerstenkorn
Family and Friends - 10/21/2013
I will miss you Uncle LV!! I could never relax with you in the room, and yet I looked for you to come to family gatherings my entire life. Rest now and know that you will NEVER be forgotten. I LOVE YOU!!
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Peggy Brown-Brown, Clifton Brown and Perri Monico-Brown.
Family and Friends - 10/21/2013
To all the family of LV Cook,
Louis was a great friend for far too short a time. Always the consummate well-mannered gentleman.
Clif
We all loved you. You were a great friend and i'm glad i met you. I will always remember our poker game and our friendship.
Perri
We all have missed Louis here at AVITA. I wish he could have gotten well. Too bad he didn't get to ride and travel to Wyoming.
Our deepest sympathies.
From ours (too numerous to mention) to yours.
Peggy
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Alan Kubik
Family and Friends - 10/23/2013
Dear Classmate Rod and sister Lois,
My sincere condolences on the passing of your brother.
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Jim & Beth Bolte
Family and Friends - 10/25/2013
Rodney - sorry to hear of your brother's passing, our thoughts and prayers are with you. loves
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