Ronald Lee Cook, 88, of Gloucester, passed away at his home on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012, surrounded by his family.

He was born in Oceana, W.Va., to the late John Homer and Sadie Elizabeth Cook.

He graduated from Oceana High School in May 1942, and joined the Marine Corps and rose to the rank of Sergeant, having served in Solomon Islands and also the Treasury Island-Bougainville operations. Following his discharge in 1945 he attended West Virginia University from 1945-1949 majoring in history. He served as principal at Oceana High School and in 1949 he became supervisor for the Wyoming County Board of Education, a position that he held until 1984. When the Korean War broke out, he entered the U.S. Army as a company commander and rose to the rank of Captain and saw action during Pork Chop Hill.

Ronald was a member of Bellamy United Methodist Church in Gloucester and sang in the choir. He was a charter member of the Middle Peninsula Detachment #1317 of the Marine Corps League.

He was also preceded in death by his brother, John Willard Cook, who died during WWII.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Betty Ann Claypool Cook; his daughters, Virginia Lynn Ellis and Colleen Morgan; five grandchildren, Jennifer Knowles, Jason Knowles, Devon Rowan, Lauren Rowan, and Josh Rowan, and two great-grandchildren.
  The family received friends at Bellamy United Methodist Church on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012, from 10-11:30 a.m. with funeral services starting at 11:30. Burial will be in Palm Memorial Gardens in Oceana, W.Va.

Andrews Funeral Home, Gloucester, is in charge of arrangements.