With sadness we announce the unexpected passing of John Raymond Cook on August 3, 2021.  John was born November 20, 1964 in Springfield, Missouri to Joen and Raymond Cook.  He graduated Glendale High School with the class of 1983.  He received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting (Summa Cum Laude) and his Master of Arts in Accounting from Missouri State University in Springfield, MO where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.  After graduating college, John joined BKD, LLP where he was a member of the firm’s National Construction and Real Estate Group.  He eventually became a partner and served at the firm for over 20 years.  In 2016 he joined Gardner Solar as Executive Vice President of Investments.  In 2019, he became President of Gardner Solar and worked closely with the company’s executive management team in evaluating solar energy property development, acquisition opportunities and long-term investment strategies.  Most recently in 2020, the C&I operations of Solera Energy, LLC and Gardner Solar, LLC merged and John transitioned to Solera Energy, LLC, where he currently served as Chief Executive Officer, Commercial & Industrial Solar Investment Group.

John valued hard work and education.  He was proud to be a top 5 contributor towards the construction, development and financing of the current housing for Phi Delta Theta Fraternity on the MSU campus.  Many of his friends and business associates will remember him as a brilliant, trusted, reliable mentor with whom they could always count on for a listening ear and sound guidance.  He was a devoted father and spent most of his spare time with his son Chris enjoying their love for motorcycle riding and target shooting.  He will be remembered for his kindness and generosity and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his son John Phillip (Jack) Cook, his father Raymond Cook, his grandmother Ethel Cook and grandparents Ralph and Mona Twigg.  He is survived by son Christopher Cook and his girlfriend Katya, mother Joen Cook, brother David Cook and his wife Tina, niece Brooklynn Cook, nephew Jefferson Cook and his faithful companions Spike and Roxanne.

Visitation will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday August 10, 2021 at Greenlawn Funeral Home East with the funeral services for close friends and family immediately following at 11:00 am.

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