Rev. Millard C. Cook

Olean- Rev. Millard C. Cook “Retired Pastor, Beloved Husband & Brother”

Rev. Millard C. Cook of Washington Street passed away on Friday, July 14, 2023, at the Olean General Hospital following a battle with cancer.

Millard was born December 1948, in Kankakee, IL., he was the son of Floyd G. and Myrna Stuart Cook. On March 3, 1970, in Kankakee he married his loving wife Christine E. Tompkins who survives.

Millard surrendered himself to Christ at a young age at a Church Bible Camp. Millard enlisted in the United States Navy on August 10, 1967, and served until he was honorably discharged on May 1, 1971. He was a plank owner on the USS John F. Kennedy. Millard attended Marycrest where he received a degree in accounting and attended Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO for a degree in theology. Millard became a licensed and ordained minister at Effingham Baptist Temple. He surrendered himself at the Effingham Baptist Temple to preach and later became a pastor and principle at Christian schools in Illinois and Ohio. His calling led him to NY in 1988 to the Collosse Baptist Church then to Olean in 1998 where he was a member and helped with anything that was needed at 5 Mile Baptist Church in Allegany. Over the past decade and more, Millard served as associate pastor at the Olean First Baptist Church and for a year and a half as an interim pastor. In most recent years he had served as a Sunday supply pastor at several churches in the area until recently when his battle with cancer forced him to step down.  

Millard was a neighborhood neighbor, he was the man reading on the porch, the man who snowplowed their sidewalks, and the man who delivered treats to the kids on holidays. Millard would always help when your car would not start, and you needed a jump. He started a men’s group with an elderly gentleman at Perkins every Thursday which grew to 12+ men. Millard will be loved and remembered by the many families he impacted on over the years. Most of all he will be greatly missed by his loving wife and sister.

Beside Millard’s wife of 53 years Christine, he is survived by a sister Louise E. Sells of Bourbonnais, IL, two sisters in law, Carol Jean (Sherman) Mumm, of Momence, IL., Nancy (Trae) Ellmore of Gulf Port, MS, and a brother in law, Charles (Deb) Tompkins of Tyler, TX., many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

Millard was predeceased by his parents.

Friends will be received at the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 E. State St., on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, from 4:00-7:00pm. A gathering will be held at 9:30-10:00am at the Olean First Baptist Church on Thursday, July 20, 2023 where a funeral service will follow. The Rev David A. Torrey will officiate. Burial will be in Allegany Cemetery where full military honors accorded by the Allegany American Legion Charles Harbel Post 892 Ritual Team. Online condolences may be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Olean First Baptist Church at 133 South Union Street.