U.S. Veteran

Ronald L. “Cowboy” Cook, 77, of Platteville, died on Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at St. Mary's Hospital, Madison. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. on Monday August 21, 2017 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville. Pastor Mary Ann Floerke will officiate. Burial will be at Hillside Cemetery, Platteville, where military rites will be accorded by VFW Post #5274 and American Legion Post #42. Friends may call from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 20, 2017 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, or from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Monday. Memorials may be made to the Ronald L. “Cowboy” Cook Memorial Fund. Online condolences may made at www.melbyfh.com.

Cowboy was born on May 23, 1940 in Platteville, Wisconsin, the son of Forrest and Martha (Marcue) Cook. He was united in marriage to Barbara Farnum on July 30, 1966 at the Platteville Free Methodist Church. Cowboy attended Platteville High School until 1957 when he joined the United States Army. He served in the Army for eight years during the Vietnam War Era. After being discharged from the service he worked for Auman's in Galena and then he and Barb moved to Rockford, Illinois where he worked for Sundstrand until moving back to Platteville where Cowboy began working at John Deere in Dubuque, Iowa. During this time he and Barb also ran the Ellenboro Tavern from 1981 – 1985 and he also was part owner of R&R upholstery for a few years. He recovered many pool tables in Southwest Wisconsin throughout the years. Cowboy retired from John Deere in 2000 and then went to help out and work for his daughter, Tina, at the VFW Club. He bartended and cooked there for six years and was just a regular handyman for her. Cowboy was a lifelong member for the VFW and helped with many things throughout the years, including, steak feeds, Christmas for Veterans, and heading the Honor Guard for veteran's funerals. A couple of his biggest passions, though, were hunting and fishing, especially elk and pheasant hunting. Cowboy also very much enjoyed running errands to Walmart, if you mentioned that you needed anything he would be out the door going to get it for you!

Cowboy is survived by his wife of 51 years, Barb; two children, Tina (Mike) Lynch and Tim Cook; two grandchildren, Keagun (Kacie) Bowen and Courtney (Steve VanNatta) Bowen; four step-grandchildren, Rusty (Danielle) Lynch, Jasmine (Matt) Leque, Sandy (Rick) Sturdevant, and Katie (Clint) Kelley; eight step-great-grandchildren; sister, Colleen Spease; sisters-in-law, Phyllis Cook, Mary Cook, Hannah Rewey, Deb Skolaski, Kathy Cook, and Shelly Peacock; brothers-in-law, Laverne (Sue) Farnum and Clinton Stephens; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Merlyn, Jerry “Cookie”, Dariel, Gary, and Lonnie Cook; and two sisters, Doreen Stephens and Zee Cook; brother-in-law, Bud Spease.

Ronald Cook

May 23, 1940 - August 15, 2017

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