Eldridge Cook "Cookie" (Lansing)

Mr. Eldridge Urnod Cook aka "Cookie" passed away Friday, March 28, 2025, surrounded by his loving family, in Lansing, Michigan. Age 85 years. The son of James and Juanita Cook was born at home in Chickasaw County, Mississippi on Saturday, March 9, 1940.

Eldridge was raised in Center Hill Baptist Church in Chickasaw County, Mississippi. He attended Okolona Junior College and Mississippi Vocational College where he received his bachelor’s in science in 1963. Upon receiving his degree, Eldridge moved to Lansing, Michigan. In 1965, Eldridge was hired in at General Motors Corporation, Fisher Body Division retiring with over 30 years of dedicated service. He married Shirley Ann Jackson in 1966. Their union was blessed with three children, Shawn DeAngelo, LaTonya Denae, and Allysia Danelle.

Eldridge was a faithful member of Lansing Church of God in Christ, where he loved attending Sunday School and served on the Deacon Board until 2002. Brother Cook was a true prayer warrior, who prayed often for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Eldridge was known and loved by many as "Cookie" or "Coach Cook". He coached his daughter, LaTonya's first softball team, Westdales, alongside Mr. Booth for many years. While she was attending middle school Coach Cook formed a team alongside Coach Mcgee, recruiting his daughter Allysia’s friends. It didn’t matter who wanted to play, if you had talent, a glove, a ride, and food, he would make sure everyone who simply wanted to play got to play! He also coached at J.W. Sexton High School alongside Coaches Loomis Peatross and Kerry Keyton for their softball team, who Allysia played for. You could hear him yelling "DIG!" meaning he wanted to see dust behind you as you were running bases.

Cookie set aside Monday nights at Gregorys as "his time" to play cards. He loved to play Pinocle, Bid Wiz, and Spades. He also had season tickets for Michigan State University Women's basketball games, often arriving hours early before the game. He was a true fan. Eldridge loved playing and watching sports, gardening, fishing, coaching, traveling back home to Mississippi in the summer, concerts in the park, sitting under his shade tree at home, cooking for his family and friends, and last but not least making his famous "Sweet Tea". He had a great sense of humor with a huge heart, a memorable laugh and affectionate smile. He will be dearly missed and will live on in our heart and memories.

Cookie leaves to cherish his memories his daughters, LaTonya Denae Cook and Allysia Danelle Cook “Teeder”; grandchildren, Kwuintel Caldwell, Aviena Cook, Jameel Trevino, Khadar Fields, and Kalysia Fields; 2 great-grandchildren, Kordel Caldwell and Khamil Caldwell; 2 brothers, Jimmy (Ollie) Cook and Sequernia Lane (Keron) Evans; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends including special friend, Ernestine McAlister of Beloit, Wisconsin.

He was preceded in death by his son, Shawn DeAngelo Cook; parents, James and Juanita Cook; sisters, Martha Evans and Ozella Marie Cornelius.