Carl (Pete) Cook

Carl (Pete) Cook, 100 of Abilene, passed away October 14th, 2024 at Wesley Court in Abilene.  A service will be held Thursday morning October 17th at 10:00 AM in the chapel of Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St.   A graveside service will be held at Fairview Cemetery in Gainesville, TX on Friday the 18th at 1:00 PM.

Pete was born on April 13th, 1924 at his parents’ home in Hood, Texas.  His parents, Winnie Summy Cook and Carl Cook were both natives of Cooke County, Texas.  In addition to Pete’s parents he was preceded in death by his wife Flo Bell Cook, his sister Peggy Cook Cutsinger, a brother-in-law George Cutsinger and a niece Susan Blake.

Pete is survived by a great niece Traci Kaindl of Carrollton, TX, a great nephew George Gauglitz of Cape Coral, Florida, a great nephew Rod Blake and wife Chandler of Castle Rock, CO.  He is also survived by a niece Anne Cotton DeGrasse of Riverhead, NY, a niece Joan Cabaniss of Taylor, TX, a niece Jane Thompson of Sherman, TX and a niece Diane McGill of LaGrange, TX.  He is also survived by his Goddaughter, Carla Dickie and husband David of Keller, TX and dear family friends Ron and Alice Hale of Lawn, TX.

Pete spent most of his youth in Dexter, Cooke County, Texas which he spoke of often and was always proud to tell of his cotton picking days during the depression of the 1930’s.

The family moved to Gainesville, Texas in the late 30’s where he attended high school and graduated in 1941.  Prior to joining the United States Army Air Force in June 1943 he attended Northwestern State Teachers College in Alva, Oklahoma.  While Pete was stationed in Greenville, Mississippi, he married his childhood sweetheart, Flo Bell on April 20, 1944.  While in the Airforce he trained as an Airforce Cadet to become a pilot.  He graduated at Moody Field, Valdosta, Georgia in March 1945 and received his wings and commission as a 2nd Lt.

After being honorably discharged from the Army Air Corp in September 1946 Pete went to work for Indian Mud Co. in Oklahoma City working in the oil fields around Lindsey, OK until moving to Midland, Texas in 1949 to work for Milwhite Mud Co. of Houston, Texas.  In 1955 Pete and three of his friends formed their own mud company, Basin Mud Co.  Pete and Flo moved to Abilene, Texas as an employee and partner of Basin Mud since 1956.  In 1957 Pete and Flo formed their own mud company, Grand Mud and after 30 successful years, they sold their company in June of 1987.  Flo passed away January 18, 1988.  After Flo’s death Pete spent most of his time at his farm they had purchased in 1982 south of Coleman, Texas.  He attended the Abilene Primitive Church.

Pete and his longtime friend Alice Hale and her daughter Carla Dickie, Pete’s Goddaughter, formed an oil company to take participating interest in the drilling for oil and gas with other oil companies.  The company was named CAP Oil, Ltd. after the three partners.

Pete will be lovingly remembered by all who knew him.  Condolences may be offered online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.