Obituary for John "JP" Cook
1SG John Paul “J.P.” Cook (ret), age 91, of Mapleton, Iowa, passed away on Monday, September 6, 2021, at the Burgess Health Center of Onawa, Iowa.
A Private Family Memorial Service will be held at the St. John’s United Methodist Church of Mapleton, IA. Pastor Mike Fillmore will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery of Mapleton, Iowa, with Military Rites by the Loren Hollister Post No. 496 of the American Legion of Mapleton, Iowa.
The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com.
John Paul “J.P.” Cook, the son of William F. and M. Leottie (Jones) Cook, was born on August 10, 1930, in Mapleton, Iowa. He grew up in Mapleton and received his education from Mapleton High School graduating with the class of 1948.
In 1949, J.P. enlisted in the Iowa National Guard Btry B 194th Field Artillery, in Mapleton, Iowa and served as a Gunner. He was ordered to active duty during the Korean War in September 1950 and served as a Battery Supply Sergeant until June 1952 when he was released from active duty. J.P. reenlisted in July 1953 and served as First Sergeant. On May 1, 1959, the unit was reorganized and he served as a Weapons Platoon Sergeant then Battalion Sergeant Major. He was ordered to active duty during the Vietnam War where he served from May 1968 until December 1969. J.P. was then released from active duty and returned to the Iowa Army National Guard serving as a First Sergeant until his retirement in August 1990.
On October 20, 1949, J.P. was united in marriage to Ruth Foss. The couple made their home in Mapleton and were blessed with three daughters: Rebecca, Barbara, and Jody. Upon his retirement after 40 years with the National Guard J.P. felt the need to keep busy, so he went to work for Kueny Electric for the next 20 years.
It is said that J.P. bled black and gold as he was a loyal Iowa Hawkeyes and Steelers fan. He was also a faithful Rams fan who could be found in the stands cheering on the home team. J.P. loved playing cards during family gatherings, especially euchre. He was a loving and devoted father and grandfather who was fondly referred to as the “rock” of the family. He will be remembered as a humble and kind man who was well respected by those who knew and loved him.
Left to cherish J.P.’s memory include his daughter Jody Fitzpatrick of Waterloo, IA; grandchildren: Matthew Harbaugh, Nicholas (Lucy) Swee, Jacy (Zoe Woodworth) Fitzpatrick and John (Andrea) Fitzpatrick; great-grandson Murphy Fitzpatrick; son-in-law Stephen Harbaugh of Orlando, FL; extended family and friends.
J.P. was preceded in death by his parents William and M. Leottie Cook; his wife Ruth Cook; daughters Rebecca Harbaugh and Barbara (Bryan) Swee; brothers Ed, Laurence, Don and Bill; sisters Rosalie and Ruby; parents-in-law Henry and Ada Belle Blanche Foss.
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A Private Family Memorial Service will be held at the St. John’s United Methodist Church of Mapleton, IA. Pastor Mike Fillmore will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery of Mapleton, Iowa, with Military Rites by the Loren Hollister Post No. 496 of the American Legion of Mapleton, Iowa.
The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com.
John Paul “J.P.” Cook, the son of William F. and M. Leottie (Jones) Cook, was born on August 10, 1930, in Mapleton, Iowa. He grew up in Mapleton and received his education from Mapleton High School graduating with the class of 1948.
In 1949, J.P. enlisted in the Iowa National Guard Btry B 194th Field Artillery, in Mapleton, Iowa and served as a Gunner. He was ordered to active duty during the Korean War in September 1950 and served as a Battery Supply Sergeant until June 1952 when he was released from active duty. J.P. reenlisted in July 1953 and served as First Sergeant. On May 1, 1959, the unit was reorganized and he served as a Weapons Platoon Sergeant then Battalion Sergeant Major. He was ordered to active duty during the Vietnam War where he served from May 1968 until December 1969. J.P. was then released from active duty and returned to the Iowa Army National Guard serving as a First Sergeant until his retirement in August 1990.
On October 20, 1949, J.P. was united in marriage to Ruth Foss. The couple made their home in Mapleton and were blessed with three daughters: Rebecca, Barbara, and Jody. Upon his retirement after 40 years with the National Guard J.P. felt the need to keep busy, so he went to work for Kueny Electric for the next 20 years.
It is said that J.P. bled black and gold as he was a loyal Iowa Hawkeyes and Steelers fan. He was also a faithful Rams fan who could be found in the stands cheering on the home team. J.P. loved playing cards during family gatherings, especially euchre. He was a loving and devoted father and grandfather who was fondly referred to as the “rock” of the family. He will be remembered as a humble and kind man who was well respected by those who knew and loved him.
Left to cherish J.P.’s memory include his daughter Jody Fitzpatrick of Waterloo, IA; grandchildren: Matthew Harbaugh, Nicholas (Lucy) Swee, Jacy (Zoe Woodworth) Fitzpatrick and John (Andrea) Fitzpatrick; great-grandson Murphy Fitzpatrick; son-in-law Stephen Harbaugh of Orlando, FL; extended family and friends.
J.P. was preceded in death by his parents William and M. Leottie Cook; his wife Ruth Cook; daughters Rebecca Harbaugh and Barbara (Bryan) Swee; brothers Ed, Laurence, Don and Bill; sisters Rosalie and Ruby; parents-in-law Henry and Ada Belle Blanche Foss.
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