More than 1,000 friends, family, admirers and supporters of Dr. Ray Cook, M.D. gathered Saturday, Nov. 17 at Wichita First Church of the Nazarene for a memorial service to honor the late physician, husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Dr. Cook, 69, passed away Nov. 7 while traveling in Greece with his wife, Elaine, of 48 years. The memorial service included a trombone solo of "Jesus There's Something About that Name" in memory of Dr. Cook, who played the trombone in the church's orchestra and also taught a Sunday School class.
"When he looked at us, he made you feel special," senior pastor Dr. Brent Van Hook said. "He listened. He cared. Unique and godly; Ray Cook was unique and godly."
Words of thanks and memories were shared by several of Dr. Cook's family members, including his son, Chad Cook, who said his father wanted a funeral that would take place during lunch hour so as not to inconvenience anyone. He also wanted each guest to go home with a sack lunch.
"Mom said, 'No, Ray. I'm not making sack lunches for everybody,' " Chad Cook said. "But we're going to have a party. We're going to have a homegoing party for Dad."
The party, which began immediately after the memorial service, featured live, upbeat music, lunch from Chick-fil-a and a display with some of Dr. Cook's most unique and memorable items, including photos, sports memorabilia and a Santa Claus suit he wore for Christmas.
Dr. Cook's daughter, Candi Cook, said the items were meant to remind people of their dad's love and generosity.
"Please let those earthly things inspire you to love the Lord," she said.
Dr. Cook, who studied at Harvard University before transferring to and graduating from Bethany Nazarene College (now Southern Nazarene University), served on the board of trustees at MidAmerica Nazarene University for 33 years. He had recently retired from medical practice in Wichita, where he served the community for 38 years after studying medicine at the University of Kansas and receiving his doctorate of medicine from the University of Kentucky.
Organizations he supported included the JESUS Film Harvest Partners, the Church of the Nazarene Foundation, MidAmerica Nazarene University and the Salvation Army.
RESPONSES
Dr. Cook impacted the lives of many individuals. Some have posted their memories and condolensces on the church's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/WichitaFirstNazarene), while others have sent letters to the church family.
Letter: Church of the Nazarene's Board of General Superintendents
Letter: MidAmerica Nazarene University
Letter: Kansas District Church of the Nazarene
Letter: Church of the Nazarene Foundation
MEDIA COVERAGE (Click on the links for full stories)
The Wichita Eagle: Longtime Wichita family physician Ray Cook dies
Wichita Business Journal: Wichita physician Ray Cook dies while on overseas trip
Nazarene Communications Network: Church, MNU mourn loss of Ray Cook
MidAmerica Nazarene University: MNU mourns loss of longtime supporter Dr. D. Ray Cook
More than 1,000 friends, family, admirers and supporters of Dr. Ray Cook, M.D. gathered Saturday, Nov. 17 at Wichita First Church of the Nazarene for a memorial service to honor the late physician, husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Dr. Cook, 69, passed away Nov. 7 while traveling in Greece with his wife, Elaine, of 48 years. The memorial service included a trombone solo of "Jesus There's Something About that Name" in memory of Dr. Cook, who played the trombone in the church's orchestra and also taught a Sunday School class.
"When he looked at us, he made you feel special," senior pastor Dr. Brent Van Hook said. "He listened. He cared. Unique and godly; Ray Cook was unique and godly."
Words of thanks and memories were shared by several of Dr. Cook's family members, including his son, Chad Cook, who said his father wanted a funeral that would take place during lunch hour so as not to inconvenience anyone. He also wanted each guest to go home with a sack lunch.
"Mom said, 'No, Ray. I'm not making sack lunches for everybody,' " Chad Cook said. "But we're going to have a party. We're going to have a homegoing party for Dad."
The party, which began immediately after the memorial service, featured live, upbeat music, lunch from Chick-fil-a and a display with some of Dr. Cook's most unique and memorable items, including photos, sports memorabilia and a Santa Claus suit he wore for Christmas.
Dr. Cook's daughter, Candi Cook, said the items were meant to remind people of their dad's love and generosity.
"Please let those earthly things inspire you to love the Lord," she said.
Dr. Cook, who studied at Harvard University before transferring to and graduating from Bethany Nazarene College (now Southern Nazarene University), served on the board of trustees at MidAmerica Nazarene University for 33 years. He had recently retired from medical practice in Wichita, where he served the community for 38 years after studying medicine at the University of Kansas and receiving his doctorate of medicine from the University of Kentucky.
Organizations he supported included the JESUS Film Harvest Partners, the Church of the Nazarene Foundation, MidAmerica Nazarene University and the Salvation Army.
RESPONSES
Dr. Cook impacted the lives of many individuals. Some have posted their memories and condolensces on the church's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/WichitaFirstNazarene), while others have sent letters to the church family.
Letter: Church of the Nazarene's Board of General Superintendents
Letter: MidAmerica Nazarene University
Letter: Kansas District Church of the Nazarene
Letter: Church of the Nazarene Foundation
MEDIA COVERAGE (Click on the links for full stories)
The Wichita Eagle: Longtime Wichita family physician Ray Cook dies
Wichita Business Journal: Wichita physician Ray Cook dies while on overseas trip
Nazarene Communications Network: Church, MNU mourn loss of Ray Cook
MidAmerica Nazarene University: MNU mourns loss of longtime supporter Dr. D. Ray Cook