Dr. Nathan Howard Cook
April 26, 1939 ~ November 1, 2024
Born in:
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Resided in:
Jefferson City, Missouri
Dr. Nathan Howard Cook, 85, of Jefferson City, MO passed away November 1, 2024, in Columbia, MO.
He was born April 26, 1939, in Winston-Salem, NC. He was the only child of the late Claferteen (Cook) Farrow, also of Winston-Salem, NC.
Dr. Cook retired from Lincoln University (LU) after having served in various capacities as Professor of Biology/Administrator. Prior to coming to LU in 1971, he held teaching assignments at Oklahoma State University (OSU), Stillwater, Oklahoma and Barber-Scotia College, Concord, NC.
Dr. Cook attended Kimberly Park Elementary School and Atkins High School in Winston-Salem. He graduated from North Carolina Central University (NCCU), Durham, NC where he received his B.S. and MA degrees with an emphasis in Biology. He earned a PhD degree in Zoology from Oklahoma State University. He also did further studies, during his career, in Molecular Biology, Genetics and Biotechnology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (Greensboro, NC); North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD respectively. He enjoyed teaching Genetics, Cell and Molecular Biology, Histology and General Zoology to his students.
He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age; strongly influenced by his mother. He was an active member of Second Baptist Church (Jefferson City, MO) where he served as: a former Chairman of the Board of Deacons; Chair and/or Co-Chair of numerous Church Anniversaries; an Adult Sunday School Teacher; a Bible School Teacher; a Co-Teacher of New Member classes; Liaisons to the Women’s Missionary Union Youth Mission Ministries; Chairman of the Baptismal Committee and Program Leader and a Co-Founder of the Youth Essential Support (YES) Program. He was a frequent attendee at bible study and prayer meetings at Second Baptist Church, presently under the direction of Reverend William T. Edmonson, Sr.
During his tenure of service at LU, Dr. Cook utilized his leadership skills in various capacities to include: University Marshal; Biology Department Head; Head of the Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; Director of the Academic Enrichment Center; Director of the Minority Biomedical Support (MBRS) Program which was funded by the NIH for 20 years; Program Director for the Scientific Equipment Program which was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF); Vice President for Academic Affairs; Vice President for Administration and Finance and Program Director of a grant from the Missouri Division of Health which led to the establishment of the Sickle Cell Disease Program in Missouri.
Dr. Cook not only served Lincoln University and his church, but he provided service to the community and his profession to include: President of the Sunrise Optimist Club; Member of the Board of Examiners for the Missouri Division of Personnel; Vice President, JC Environmental Quality Commission; Member, Jefferson City’s Park Board Golf Advisory Committee; Chairman of Missouri’s Sickle Cell Disease Advisory Committee which established the State’s Sickle Disease Program; Evaluation Panelist for NSF’s Student Science Training Program; Peer Review Panelist for the NIH’s Division of Research Resources; Member of the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau; Member of the Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society (Cole Unit); Member and former officer of the Eta Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (as Basileus and Keeper of Records and Seal); President of the Missouri Academy of Science (MAS) – the first African-American elected as President.
Dr. Cook received numerous awards and citations to include: a Ford Foundation Fellowship; Who’s Who in Missouri Education; American Men and Women of Science; Who’s Who in Black America; voted as a Fellow of the MAS; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “Living the Dream” Award; Dean’s Award (College of Arts and Sciences) for outstanding service to LU; Blue Tiger Military Award for Excellence in Leadership in Teaching; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Award for Outstanding Teaching; Optimist of the Year by the Sunrise Optimist Club of JC and Omega Man of the Year and a 50-Year Service Award by his fraternity.
Dr. Cook was married to his college sweetheart and soul mate, Thelma V. (Upperman) Cook, who preceded him in death after nearly 55 years. He is survived by his two daughters: Carlene Y. Cook of St. Louis and Erika Y. (Cook) Aaron of Columbia, MO; two grandsons Carl L. Aaron, Jr. and Christian L. Aaron of Columbia, MO, numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
During his life he really enjoyed golf, photography, gardening, fishing and traveling around the country and abroad.
Celebration of his life and home going will be held November 16, 2024, at Second Baptist Church, 501 Monroe Street, Jefferson City, MO. Visitation is at 10 a.m. and the Omega Psi Phi Memorial Service and the Celebration of Life begin at 11am. The Celebration of Life will be officiated by his long-time pastor and mentor, Reverend Cornell C. Sudduth, Sr.
Interment will be held at Hawthorn Gardens Cemetery. After the services, a Repast will take place at Second Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested for Second Baptist Church in honor of Dr. Nathan H. Cook, 501 Monroe Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Those wishing to send tributes or condolences to the family may do so through Trimble Funeral Homes, 3210 N. Ten Mile Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109 or info@trimblefunerals.com.
Services entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City. trimblefunerals.com
Services
Visitation: Saturday, November 16, 2024 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Second Baptist Church
501 Monroe Street
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
Omega Service: Saturday, November 16, 2024 11:00 am
Second Baptist Church
501 Monroe Street
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
Funeral Service: Saturday, November 16, 2024 11:30 am
Second Baptist Church
501 Monroe Street
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
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They fly beside us everyday Cousin Nathan Always In my heart. R I P
To the Family, Friends, Students , Colleagues and D9 , much will be said regarding Dr. Cook. I will share that he was always a supporter of LU’s HC game. He was a great person🐾💙🐾💜💛💜 from the “Ole School”.
I can think of absolutely no words. However, I can recall how my dad expressed how much he enjoyed his time spent gardening with your dad. He had an impact on everyone he knew! Continued thoughts and prayers to you both. Love you!!
Rest in Heaven Dr. Cook. Very proud to have been an undergraduate under your guidance as the Department Head of Math and Natural Sciences. Grateful for your encouragement.
What a loss of a great colleague and a personal friend at Lincoln University in Missouri! Our office spaces were adjacent to each other with a common exterior door and a lounge for our students and visitors. He was a Professor of Biology while I was a Professor of Agriculture under the same Academic Department as Agriculture, Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Technology. He preceded me as Head of the Department. Dr. Cook was so funny that he always killed me with jokes. Will remember and miss him forever. MHSRIEP.
Erika and Carlene, I am so sorry for your loss. I will always remember Doc.
Wilma
To my mentor who played so many roles in my life while at Lincoln Univeristy, and who was like a father to me. I just can’t thank you enough. “May your work on this side speak for you.” A servant of god has gain his wings. Sleep on and take your rest Doc. Weeping may endure for a night but joy will come in the morning. 🙏🏾
Although we had lost contact with each for awhile, it was recently that we reconnected and we would talk for hours on the phone about the wonders and love that we had for our heavenly Father
Nathan I will miss you, but I know God loved you best.
To the family my prayers and thoughts are with you . Nathan RIP
Our sincere condolences
Sargeant David and Carmalee Hall
Please accept our sincere condolences and prayers for your bereavement. We were friends of Nate (Omega Psi Phi brother) and Thelma for many years and we enjoyed the times we shared. May God bless you and keep you in His care. 🙏🏿🙏🏿
Gary & Jeanette White
Love, June and Mathis II
Dr. Cook was my late sister-in-law’s advisor/mentor/teacher while a biology major at LU. She always spoke so highly of him and was very appreciative of all he did to prepare her to be a high school biology teacher. Unfortunately, her career was cut short. Hopefully, she and Dr. Cook will meet again in heaven. He was a wonderful person who had a profound impact on so many lives and in so many ways. May Dr. Cook’s memory forever be a blessing.
Carlene,
Although I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting your father, he sounded like a wonderful man and I am so impressed with his many accomplishments. God will surely bless him in His presence in heaven.
Praying for you and your family during this difficult time.
Richelle
Biblically speaking, such men are worthy of honor for two reasons and honor him we should. Firstly, Deacon Cook was a man of character. He lived his faith in Jesus Christ. Secondly, Deacon Cook was a man of service. Deacon Cook embraced his commitment to Christ and was dutiful in his worship and service to his church family.
Together we Co-Chaired the 163rd Church Anniversary, in 2023. He was excited and delighted to serve once again. Our theme was “We Come a Long Way & We Have a Long Way to Go”. It was a pleasure to work with him.
Deacon Cook fought a good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for him a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge, shall give him at that day: and not to him only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
I will miss you Deacon Cook and Second Baptist Church will miss you too. May God hold your family close and comfort them as only He can!
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8
Deacon Archie L Andrews
To the family and friends my sincerest and deepest condolences 🙏🏾
Love you to All. RQQ
Rita and I are lost for words. Our sorrow and grief is deep on learning of the death of your father. We have so many cherished memories of your father as well as your mother. We loved them both deeply. Your father’s kindliness and sincerity will never be forgotten. Please reach out to us when you can. Take care. God bless and comfort you.
Sincerely,
Roland and Rita White