JOHN COOKE, SR.

John Wilson Cooke, Sr., 71, of Wagner died Thursday, October 25, 2018 at the Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls. Funeral services were Tuesday, October 30 at the National Guard Armory in Wagner. Burial was in the Holy Fellowship Episcopal Cemetery, rural Greenwood, with military honors. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner was in charge of arrangements.

John Wilson Cooke, Sr. (Johnny) was born to Emma (Huapapi) and Peter Cooke, Sr. on March 26, 1947 at the Wagner IHS. Johnny married Lynda Burnette on September 16, 1972 and they shared 46 loving years together.

Johnny was a proud veteran who entered active duty for the US Army on August 16, 1966. He was assigned to “A” Company, 5th Battalion, 46th Infantry, 198th Lt Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, Chu Lai, South Viet Nam. He attained the rank of E-5 before returning home on August 18, 1968.

After returning home from the war he lived and worked in Sioux Falls for a short time before moving back home to Wagner and starting work at the Indian Health Service. Johnny was a much loved and dedicated patient driver for 42 years before he retired to work in his yard, watch his favorite sports teams on TV and visit his many family and friends.

Johnny had a way of making every person he visited feel special and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Johnny was preceded in death by his mother Emma; dad Peter Sr; brother Peter Jr (Sonny Boy); sisters Eldoth and Dorothy (Dodo); brother-in-law Donald; sisters-in-law: Audrey, Mary Louise and Delores; grandson Faron and nephews: Robert, Douglas and Brian.

Johnny is survived by his wife Lynda and his precious children: Jason (Heather), Kristi (Daryl Jr), John Jr “Juice”, Galen (Jen) and Steve; grandchildren: Darion, Jacee, Megan, Dayton, Dayson, Galen Jr, Janae, Jerryn and Genesis and one very special great-grandson King; brothers: Joseph, Virgil Sr and Guy Sr; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.