Thomas Wayne Cook

Thomas Wayne Cook, 85, of Midland, Texas passed away on June 16, 2022, with his loving wife by his side.

Born March 21, 1937, in Big Spring, Texas to Alvis B. and Imogene Cook, Tom grew up in New Mexico, and ultimately earned his Masters of Education degree at West Texas A&M University, where he met his beloved wife Jan.

Tom went on to weave a varied professional life that included teaching, working as a mud engineer in the oil industry and as a plant supervisor for Levi Strauss, before finally starting his own financial services company, Tom Cook & Associates, where he and Jan worked side by side.  Perhaps Tom’s greatest business contribution was the teachers’ compensation plan he developed, which finally gave teachers access to an employer-matching retirement plan comparable to the 401K in the corporate world (and which was later written into the IRS code).  Such an endeavor was ubiquitous in Tom’s life.  This extraordinary man consistently invested himself in making life better for those around him, because Tom was a godly man who walked out his great faith daily, loving his family wantonly, and serving those around him with a great heart.  He relished being a husband and father, and bequeathed to his sons the rich heritage of a kind and gentle heart, which he demonstrated even in the trials of his extended illness.

Tom Cook will be remembered with the greatest love and honor by his survivors, his wife of 47 years, Janet Haggard Cook, sons Brian and wife Amy Cook, and Blake and wife Sara Cook, as well as grandchildren Katherine, Christina and Brandon; Eli, Esther, Hadarah, Caroline, Joseph, Zadek, Tirzah, Emily & Havivah; also, his brothers Jim, Curtis, Mark and Brent Cook and Willie and Blake Inge.

Tom was preceded in death by his mother Imogene Inge, stepfather Benny Inge, father Alvis Cook, stepmother Birdie Cook and sister Rita Carol Cook Sims.

Tom’s family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at Legacy Ranch Memory Care and Heart-To-Heart Hospice in Midland for their loving care.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at 11:00 AM, in the chapel of First Baptist Church of Midland with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Christian Broadcasting Network or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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