Wendell C. Cook

February 6, 1929 - January 27, 2021

Early January 27, 2021, Dad, Wendell C. Cook, known by relatives as "Chick", passed out of this world and into his Savior's embrace. Though soon to be 92, it was still quite the unexpected shock. He was born February 6, 1929 in Sarcoxie, Missouri to Chesley A. and Ina Marie Cook, and raised on a farm during the Great Depression, fourth of ten children. Dad was an amazing man who loved God, his family and country. He lost Helen his wife of 69 years two and a half years ago to cancer. Their meeting and story of their seventy-five-year relationship is what movies are made of. Though deep in his grief Dad showed us what "finishing strong" looks like. After a word of encouragement was spoken to him about him being a trailblazer for us, he showed how it should look ending strong, demonstrating what "by God's Grace" means. Daily he was dressed and in his wheelchair by 7am, reading his Bible, drinking his cup of coffee brought by the wonderful nurses knowing his routine, then setting out in his day to make people smile. We cannot thank enough the Staff at River Valley Care Center and the nurses at Rideout Cancer Center for all their love shown Dad. Dad was a general contractor and could build or fix most anything. He built homes for his family, built a motor home now in a museum, restored a 1948 Air Coupe he and mom flew, made and restored guitars, and had recently made hand crafted works of art as keepsake Christmas presents for the great grandkids, even with his failed shoulders and 91 year old arthritic hands. Flying was his favorite hobby. He was recently presented an honorary service award having flown for the Yuba Sutter Aero Squadron on search and rescue missions for years. He was most proud of having served his country, USAF, stationed on Fire Island, Alaska during the Korean War in his early years, and in later years working for the California Youth Authority mentoring incarcerated youth, teaching them building skills. But what Dad spoke mostly of was his family and his wife Helen. With her he modeled faithfulness, and with and without her he loved his three boys richly. And in the last home stretch when life was caving in and grief could have consumed him, he grew so much in his faith in Jesus. We are so proud of you Dad. You blazed the trail bright and clear, persevering and loving to the very end. To repeat your words, "I will see you later, maybe much later (with a chuckle), give everyone my love". Dad was preceded in death by his parents mentioned, eight siblings, John, Velma, Hal, JC, Mary, George, Bertha, and Carl. He is survived by his three sons, Craig and Nancy of Yuba City, Richard of Carlsbad, CA, and Bryan and Laura of Yuba City, five grandkids, Josh, Andrea, Chelle, Lindsey, Cheslie and their spouses, 14 great grandkids, his brother Bob Cook of Carl Junction, MO and a slew of nieces and nephews who adored "Uncle Chick". A Celebration of Life service will be held 11:00am on Friday, February 5, 2021 at The Bride Church, 1321 Peach Tree Ln., Yuba City, CA, followed with a Graveside Service at Sutter Cemetery at 3:00pm, Butte House Rd., Sutter. CA.