Leon Cook

January 15, 1934 - March 20, 2021

Leon Cook was born January 5, 1934 in Evergreen, Alabama to the late Dempsey Cook and Judie Beasley-Cook. He departed this life on March 20, 2021 at his home in Somerset, NJ. Affectionally known to many as “Cook”, “Cookie” or “Unc” he made everyone feel like they were family. He was the middle child of three but at times, he thought he was the oldest by trying to tell you what you needed to do, yes giving out orders, and then at times he acted like he was the youngest pretending he had no clue of what to do. He had an unbreakable bond with his brother Jimmie and his relationship with his sister Callie Mae was like no other. The love they shared for each other was nothing but beautiful. Leon attended and graduated from the Evergreen School District in Alabama, where he participated and excelled in basketball. After graduating he headed north and landed briefly in New Brunswick, NJ. While, there he met and wed Queen Blount and from that union One child was born. When a job opportunity to advance presented itself, Leon moved to Baltimore, MD. While in Baltimore, he held two jobs at the same time, the Kay Packing Company, and the Wilkes Detective Agency, where he was an upstanding employee.. While in Baltimore, he wed, Rose Gandy-Cook . From this union Eight children were born. Leon returned to New Jersey and settled down in Somerset NJ, where he met and wed Betty Jane Woodley where they shared a love for 40 plus years. From this union, they shared Two children. Leon was employed by Ford Motor Company in Edison, NJ for over 30 years. He was proud to say that he helped build strong cars and trucks. He would encourage everyone to buy a Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury. He was also an Entrepreneur. He opened Cook’s Deli II in Piscataway, NJ. He wanted to be a staple in the community where people could come and get the small items they needed and of course grab a delicious sandwich while there. Leon had a strong faith and dedicated his life to doing good. He became a faithful member of Sharon Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Reverend Marcus Williams. He enjoyed the fellowship of his church family especially in his golden years. He especially enjoyed listening to his pastor, Rev. Conway C. Johnson Jr. preach. Cookie was well known and liked in the community. He enjoyed “Talking” … It didn’t matter if you were family, friend, or a stranger, he would debate any conversation. If you stopped by the house, 9 times out of 10 Cook was watching CNN News. In addition to the news, he enjoyed playing any type of card games and going to the racetrack where he always picked the gray horse #5. But if you really knew Cook, you knew how he felt about the “Lottery”. Family was special to Leon, he enjoyed spending time together whenever time permitted, whether you were in NJ, MD, VA, AZ, Al or to tell the truth, you could be anywhere, it didn’t matter, he would travel. That’s how important family was to him. He had many close friends that he shared time with debating or sipping on coffee at McDonalds. There were two relationships that had an unbreakable bond, his special childhood friend, Elroy Matthews of Randallstown, MD and his road partner, main man, Mr. Carl McGhee of New Brunswick, NJ. Leon was preceded in death by his parents Dempsey and Judie Cook, brother Jimmie L. Cook Sr., children, Leon Cook Jr., Tawanda Cook and Jeffrey Harper, and a great grandson Datoine Smith. Left to cherish his precious and everlasting memories are: his devoted wife , Betty J. Cook of Somerset, NJ, his dear sister, Callie Mae Gandy of Huntsville, AL, his loving children, Queen Cook-Adkison of Somerset, NJ, Cheryl Cook, Denese Moore, Roslyn Cook-Smith (Roger), Barbara Williams, James Cook (Monique), Ellis Cook (Nicole), all of Maryland, Paula Robinson (Kevin) of Piscataway, NJ; Twenty-Two grandchildren; Twenty -One great-grandchildren; One sister in-law Juanita Hardy, of Lawrenceville, VA, One brother in-law Sheriff James Woodley, (Geraldine) of Lawrenceville VA; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, and lots of family and friends who he loved very much. ************************************************************************** Funeral Livestream Information via Zoom ************************************************************************** Time: Mar 31, 2021 09:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6472506707?pwd=SUhHMmVVK3ZzQ29XV2lmOFkzQkIwZz09 Meeting ID: 647 250 6707 Passcode: 2664613 One tap mobile +13126266799,,6472506707#,,,,*2664613# US (Chicago) +16465588656,,6472506707#,,,,*2664613# US (New York) Dial by your location +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) Meeting ID: 647 250 6707 Passcode: 2664613 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/klPK4Lu41