

Joseph "Joe" Augustus Cook, II
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Joseph Augustus Cook II, 76, of Vero Beach, Florida passed away on September 11th, 2022. Joe was born on November 7th, 1945, in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He was one of five children of the late Ruth Elizabeth Cook and Joseph Augustus Cook. He is preceded in death by his brother William Cook, sisters Margaret Buttons and Ruth Elizabeth St. Charles. Joe is survived by his beloved wife Joyce McNeal Cook; his children, Joseph Augustus Cook III (Katy) of Nashville, daughters Anne Cook Allen (Jody) of Bowling Green, Elizabeth Cook Vaughan (Lee) of Nashville; stepchildren, Naomi Fecca (Mike), Dana Miller (Michael), Jack Crites (Shannon); sister Judy Batts (Tom); grandchildren, McLain Bender, Emmie Bender, McAulay Vaughan, Anne Vaughan, Clyde Vaughan, Will Cook; and many step grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Joe was the Salutatorian of Bowling Green High's class of 1963 at the age of 17. He graduated from WKU in 1967, where he was a founding member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He received his CPA at the age of 20, passing all 3 parts at one time. He enlisted in the Army in 1963 and was a member of the Active Reserves. After college he worked for the Atomic Energy Commission before joining the accounting firm Sneed and Taylor as a partner. Sneed and Taylor eventually became Cook and Company. Most recently, he was the Chairman of the Board of the Robert and Mary Tincher Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Joe was a member of Christ Episcopal Church and an active member of the Bowling Green Community. He gave his time to numerous boards and organizations, including the Rotary Club, the WKU Board of Regents, and the Kentucky Society of CPAs. He served as President of the Bowling Green Country Club, Chair of the John Y Brown JR Gubernatorial campaign in Warren County, and was a Member of the Kentucky Delegation of the Democratic Party in 1980. Later in life, Joe split his time between Bowling Green and Vero Beach, before finally moving to Vero and becoming an official Florida resident.
He traveled extensively and was fascinated with lost civilizations and lost treasures. He enjoyed cooking for his family, reading, riding his motorcycle with friends, playing golf and watching Fox News. He knew every word to every song and could sing like Elvis and whistle any tune. He will be remembered for his sound advice, beyond measure intelligence, quick wit, strong moral compass and kind heart.
There will be a family service at Christ Episcopal Church in Bowling Green on Sunday, October 9th, followed by a 3 o'clock reception at the Bowling Green Country Club to celebrate his life and the life of his sister, Ruth Elizabeth.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Robert and Mary Tincher Charitable Foundation, 1036 South Park Drive, Bowling Green, Kentucky 42103.
Arrangements by Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory, Vero Beach, FL. A guestbook is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com
