Mr. Richard C. Cooke (Squirrel) 63, died Thursday, February 15, 2024, at McLeod Hospice House of Florence.
The funeral was Sunday, February 18, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Lake View. Burial followed at Lake View Perpetual Cemetery. The family received friends Saturday, February 17, 2024, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Lake View, where he was a lifetime member.
Mr. Cooke was born March 22, 1960, in Florence, SC, the son of the late Carlyle and Barbara Ann Moody Cooke. A graduate of Avalon Academy and Francis Marion University, he was a former Nursing Home Administrator and owner, a farmer and entrepreneur. He loved the beach, the USC Gamecocks, the Cowboys, his hometown, Lake View, but more than anything, he loved his children.
While we lost our beloved dad, many have lost a friend and loved one in him. He has been the rock to many, always willing to help those in a time of need. There was so much more to him than just dad, though to us that was his greatest role—he was also a friend, a boss and colleague, cousin, brother, and a stand-in paternal figure to many. It was his wish that we laugh and reminisce and smile together during this time and remember his greatest catch phrase “Fine, and you?”
He is survived by his children: Richard Cooke, Jr. (Taylor), Avonlea Barnhill (Colton), Anna Marie Cooke, Hayden Cooke, and Gabrielle Cooke; grandchildren: Easton Barnhill, Brayden Cooke, Annelise Barnhill, and Lacy Cooke; brother, Tony Ray Cooke; sister, Barbara Ann Arnette (Edison); special friends Lisa Garner, Richard Jones, Judy and Weasel Johnson and a host of other family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Lake View, PO Box 397, Lake View, SC 29563.