Harley Allen "Tom" Cook

Harley Allen "Tom" Cook, 59, of Hill Haven Circle, Morganton, NC, died unexpectedly Saturday, September 16, 2006 at his residence. Born in Avery County, NC, on November 11, 1946, he was the son of Lila Frances Johnson Durham and the late Harley Cook. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Billy Joe Cook, and a grandson, Roger Branch. Harley attended the Drexel Christian Center and was an avid fisherman. A US Army veteran of the Vietnam war, he received the Purple Heart and was MIA for 8 weeks.

Mr. Cook is survived by two daughters, Tonya Baker and Lisa Branch, both of Morganton; a brother, Eddie Durham of Marion, NC; four sisters, Betty Coffey of Spartanburg, SC, Lila Kay Chambers, Lynn Allen, and Gwen Durham, all of Asheville, NC; a step-father, Earl Durham of Old Fort, NC; four grandchildren, J.J. Smith, Ashley Smith, Eddie Branch, and Brittney Branch; two great-grandchildren, a number of nieces and nephews, and a special companion of twelve years, Carol Danner.

The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 20, 2006 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Reverends Steve Durham and Bill Shuffler officiating. Burial will follow in Concord United Methodist Church Cemetery with military rites to be conducted by the Valdese American Legion Post #234. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. At other times the family will be at the residence of the daughter, Tonya Baker, 4871 Scott Road, Morganton. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.