Rev. James William Cook Sr., age 77, of Gray, Kentucky, passed away on Monday February 26, 2024, after his courageous and inspiring battle. “Jim fought the good fight, Jim has finished his race, Jim kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for Jim a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give Jim on this day.”
Born on November 3, 1946, in Hazard, Kentucky, Jim was a son of the late Rev. George Cook and Martha Magdalene Head Cook. Jim graduated with a master’s degree in theology from Emmanuel Baptist University. He was an active pastor for over 51years, where he served with his beloved wife, Bobbie, by his side. Jim loved people and in return everyone loved Jim. He was a former chaplain for the Lancaster Police Department and was also a former city councilman in Lancaster, KY. Jim was currently and Elder and Assistant Minister for Restoration Church in Lily and was an assistant minister for Barton Chapel Church in Corbin. Jim had worked for 20years as an assistant at the Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home, where he often served as a minister for those in need.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Anna Cook; brother, Eugene Cook; sister, Lois Marie Cook; father-in-law and mother-in-law, MC and Myrtle Brown; and by his brothers in law, John Loudermilk and Glenn Smith.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Bobbie Jean Brown Cook; sons, James William Cook Jr. and his wife Christina, and Delbert Lee Monhollen and wife Erica; daughter, Gail Marie Cook; twelve grandchildren, Justice, Whitney, Aly, Parker and Liv, Brandy, Nikki, Tonya, Jamie, Montanna, Brittany, Kasey, and Erica; twelve great grandchildren; sisters, Brenda Dillion, Sandy Loudermilk, and Georgetta Smith; brother in law, Clarence Brown and wife Georgia, and by numerous other family members and countless friends who all loved him dearly.
Visitation for Jim Cook will be held on Saturday March 2, 2024, from 11am until 2pm at Restoration Church, 420 Lily School Road, Lily, KY. His funeral service will then be held at 2pm at the church with Rev. Ronnie Smith and Rev. Johnny Loudermilk officiating.
Burial will follow in the Brown Cemetery in Gray, KY.
Arrangements by Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home in Corbin, where messages may be written at vankirkgrisellfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers Jim requested for donations to be made to Restoration Christian Acadamy. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rev. James , please visit our floral store.
