George John Cook Jr., never fit the mold
George John Cook Jr. passed away Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. He was born Aug. 9, 1943, to parents George John and Emily (Muszynski) Cook in Alpena, Mich. He was taught work ethic by his parents, a trait he fully valued and embraced, which he quickly absorbed and applied throughout his life. He often assisted his father on various projects around the house when he was a boy. He was a bright, observant, and perceptive child; he did not fit the mold of most other children.
George enjoyed trying various sports in high school, including baseball, football, and track. Some of his favorite times during this period were summer vacations spent with his family at Higgins Lake. For five years as a teenager, he had a summer job as a caddy at a local country club, and one of his favorite lifetime memories was caddying for his idol, Arnold Palmer (and other professional golfers), in 1959 at the Motor City Open. Not many people can say they worked for one of their idols as a child; he did not fit the mold of his peers.
George attended Michigan State University for four years, where he studied hotel management. He spent his college summers in Pennsylvania, where he worked at Perona Farms to learn food service training. In 1965, George was accepted to Navy Officer School in Newport, R.I., and in just 90 days, he had completely outgrown his mold! He quickly made the ranks as ensign, and as such, he was assigned to run the commissioned Officers Club and Quarters in Pensacola, Fla. In 1969, he left the Navy as a lieutenant to pursue a career in the hospitality business; a life-changing choice.
George joined the world-renowned Marriott Corporation in 1969 in Washington, D.C., as assistant catering manager. His career with Marriott took him to many cities and provided him with various positions until he received his first assignment as general manager to open the Charleston Marriott Town Center Hotel in West Virginia. A highlight of his career as food and beverage manager was managing the food service for the annual Mary Kay Cosmetics Convention at Dallas Market Center, a week-long outside catering event that served breakfast and lunch for 7,500 consultants. As George lived in Dallas, he became an avid and lifelong fan of the Dallas Cowboys.
George continued to break the mold and break boundaries during his career with Marriott. He was firm but fair. He got things done and practiced a term he used often throughout his life, “demonstrated ability.” His unusually high work ethic, dynamic personality, and rigorous leadership led him to his final hotel assignment, as general manager of the prestigious and historic Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. At The Mayflower, George met and served many celebrity guests. He even welcomed his golf hero, Arnold Palmer, the same legend he caddied for as a teenager, to his beautiful and impressive hotel. For the majority of summers of his working life, George and his family (wife Kathy and children Carolyn and Laura) looked forward to their annual beach vacation at the Outer Banks, N.C.
At age 60, George completely outgrew a mold most people could never dream of doing: He retired early, which was a part of his secret life plan. In retirement, George enjoyed golfing and boating in Williamsburg, Va. He then decided to relocate to Lewes, where he and his wife, Kathy, enjoyed the beautiful coast for several years, and where George lived out the rest of his unassuming life.
George made a powerful and lasting impact on any person lucky enough to have crossed paths with him during his life, and a lot of that was due to him never fitting the mold.
He was predeceased by his parents, George and Emily Cook; his brother, David Cook; and his sister, Sue Berglund.
George is survived by his wife of 43 years, Kathy Verhault Cook; their two daughters, Carolyn and Laura Cook; son, George J. Cook III (Tammy); daughter Jennifer Cook; granddaughter, Kandace Mowles (Darrid); sister, Sally Okerstrom; sister, Margie Schmidt (Mike); brother, Brad Cook; many nieces and nephews; and his beloved canine companion, Rico.
Final care has been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
Visit George's Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
