Richard G. Cook Sr.: Pastor, retired military chaplain dies

Richard G. Cook Sr., a pastor and retired military chaplain who spent his last years in Alabama, died Nov. 29. He was 86.

Cook, who served in the military for more than 30 years and attained the rank of colonel, developed the first organized statewide volunteer chaplaincy program in the Southern Baptist Convention in Florida. Through the program, 260 chaplains were enlisted, trained and assigned to 204 facilities throughout Florida. 

Cook was a member of Spring Hill Baptist Church, Mobile, at the time of his death.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Grace; four children; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.