Orval Lee Cook

Orval L. Cook, a resident of Parkhill, Oklahoma was born December 31, 1943 in Cleveland, Oklahoma to Earl Eugene and Norma Lily (Sutton) Cook. Orval was raised and received his education in Cleveland. He graduated from Cleveland High School in 1962. During his time in school he was very active and in athletics especially basketball. Orval was one of the many top notch basketball players for the Cleveland Tigers. Upon his graduation Orval attended the University of Arkansas where he was a member of the basketball team for four years. Orval went on to graduate from the University of Arkansas in January of 1967. On May 25, 1963 Orval was united in marriage to LoRetta Sue (Mankins) in Fayetteville, Arkansas. In 1967 Orval accepted employment with Mobil Oil as a sales representative in Marietta, Georgia. He remained with Mobil until 1975. Orval and LoRetta moved to Tulsa where he began to work for ITT Finance. Later he worked for Seven Eleven a subsidiary of Mako until 1988 in acquisitions. They then moved to Des Moines, Iowa where he was employed with Costal Mart Energy. His job duties included acquisitions and mergers. Being in the land business for most of Orvals life he then gained employment with Prudential Real Estate. In 1994 Orval and LoRetta opened up the ìOklahoma Stationî on Lake Tenkiller. He owned and operated the store while serveing some of the best Bar-B-Q Pork in the state. People came from many different destinations just to get some of his famous Bar-B-Q. In September of 1995 Orval was forced to retired due to his health. Orval loved to fish, hunt and be in the outdoors.

Orval passed away May 17, 2003 at Tahlequah, Oklahoma at the age of 59 years 4 months and 16 days. He was preceded in death by parents, brother Tom Cook, four nephews and one great niece. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Survived by his Wife, LoRetta Cook, of the home; three sons, Michael Cook of Nikiski, Alaska; Brian Cook of Nikiski, Alaska; Brandon Cook of Park Hill, Oklahoma; brother, Bill Cook and wife Patsy Ruth of Cleveland, Oklahoma; sisters Midge Thompson of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Pat Thompson of Cleveland, Oklahoma; Peg Griffith and husband Woody of Afton, Oklahoma; Sharon May and husband Lonnie of Muskogee, Oklahoma, and two grandchildren Jesse and Jodi as well as many other friends and relatives.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 22, 2003 at 2:00 pm in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church Dr. Larry Wilson will be officiating. Burial will be at Woodland Cemetery under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home.

''Visit an online obituary and guestbook for Orval Cook at www.chapman-black com.''