1937-2020
Memorial Services for Dr. Raymond E. Cook will be 11 a.m. Saturday, December 19, 2020, at First Baptist Church, in Hinton, with the Rev. Ken Bryant, Dr. Michael Martinez and Dr. Jim Muse officiating. Services entrusted to Turner Funeral Home, in Hinton.
When we speak of the life contributions of Dr. Raymond E. Cook we are speaking of a true Oklahoman. Dr. Cook loved his family, patients, friends and music ministry. He was a civic leader and visionary of his time.
Among Dr. Cook’s many accomplishments, he was instrumental in pioneering chiropractic medicine in the state of Oklahoma. Dr. Raymond E. Cook was born June 15, 1937, in Oklahoma City, to William C. and Mary B. (Egbert) Cook. He passed away Saturday, December 12, 2020, in Weatherford, at the age of 83.
Raymond graduated from Capitol Hill High School in 1956, where he was active in the student body, represented his sophomore class as President, and served as president of the Athletic Club. Through the years he has remained active with Capitol Hill High School as the treating physician for athletes, coaches, school administrators, and teachers for more than 20 years.
He has had a lifelong commitment to Capitol Hill High School staying involved with the reunion committee, leading committee panels and planning events for his classmates. He played college football on scholarship at the University of Tulsa. He then went to chiropractic college in Oklahoma City, then moved to Davenport, Iowa to attend Palmer Chiropractic College and finished his doctorate at Logan College of Chiropractic in St. Louis, graduating in 1961.
Dr. Cook began his career as a chiropractic physician January 1962, with a practice located in the Capitol Hill area of Oklahoma City. During his first year in practice, he became acquainted with R. Lewis Barton, with Mr. Barton’s financial assistance; Dr. Cook was able to open a clinic for children in need.
Oklahaven was formed to benefit children with many debilitating diseases, such as polio. Dr. Cook was the first president of Oklahaven clinic, which still is operating today. It all began with Dr. Cook’s dream of providing chiropractic care to children regardless of ability to pay. He built a foundation which still is strong 50 years after its conception.
Dr. Cook’s love of children and the chiropractic profession is embodied through Oklahaven. Dr. Cook was always quick to give credit to his mother for instilling in him a strong faith-based foundation. Dr. Cook remembered these early childhood lessons, leading to a lifetime love of music ministry.
He was an evangelistic music ministry, traveling the state, ministering through his music. He recorded an album and CD which was played on a variety of radio stations for a number of years, and which family and friends still enjoy today. He joined various civic clubs and held many positions within them. He was especially active in the chamber of commerce and the Kiwanis, holding positions in each office of these organizations.
In 1964 he was runner up for Outstanding Young Man of the Year. Dr. Cook had more influence regarding the advancement of chiropractic medicine in the state of Oklahoma than any one other chiropractic physician. Dr. Cook held a position on the chiropractic board for the State of Oklahoma for 10 years.
Throughout his life, Dr. Cook was recognized with commendations for his service in chiropractic medicine and service on the board of regents by the Oklahoma State Senate and the Oklahoma State House of Representatives. Dr. Cook also was instrumental in establishing the Hinton Museum, which has grown to include a warehouse size museum.
Located in Hinton, the museum stands as tribute to the vision of Dr. Cook and his ability to see needs and then set into motion action to meet those needs. In 1987, Dr. Cook was honored by being the first of two chiropractors voted into the Chiropractic Hall of Fame. Colleagues continued to acknowledge the commitment and dedication given by Dr. Cook to the profession by voting him Chiropractic Physician of the Decade in 1990.
Dr. Cook was the only physician to ever receive this honor. Dr. Cook was blessed with three wonderful children, whom he loves very much. Bryan Eugene Cook, of Weatherford, made All-State Quarterback in High School. Dr. Douglas Cook, Weatherford, was drum major in high school and now has one of the largest chiropractic practices in the state. Kay Lynn Richards, of Hobart, was a cheerleader in high school and now serves as Kiowa County Court Clerk, her husband, Mark, is a coach.
He loved eating, enjoyed flowers, he loved tending to his flower beds, loved dominoes, loved helping people, loved visiting, loved entertaining in his home, and held many family reunions. Dr. Raymond Cook has inspired more than 30 young people to go to chiropractic college.
Of those, he has a son, Dr. Doug Cook, grandson,
Dr. Chandler Cook, grandson, Dr. Preston Cook and his wife, Dr. Brittany Cook, and grandson in law, Dr. Derek MakesCry, all chiropractors, because of his passion for helping children and adults, to healing the sick, the lame, and the less fortunate.
Survivors include: his children; Bryan Cook and wife, Kim, of Weatherford, Doug Cook and wife, Kim, of Weatherford, and Kay Richards and husband, Mark, of Hobart; his grandchildren, Blake Cook, of Weatherford, Blair MakesCry and husband, Derek, of Weatherford, Chandler Cook and wife, Samantha, of Atlanta, Preston Cook and wife, Brittany, of Beacon, New York, Andrae’ Cook, of Norman, Aaron Richards, of Crescent, and Blaine Richards and wife, Lindsey, of Hobart; nine great grandchildren; as well as several cousins other relatives and friends.
Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, William and Mary Cook, his siblings, Billy Cook, Herman Cook, Harold Cook, Duke Cook, Bob Cook, Mary K. James, Charles Carter, and his granddaughter, Kandace Suzanne Richards.
Condolences may be sent to the family at turnerfuneralhomes@gmail.com, turnerfh.net.