Merlin Alben Cook

Merlin Alben Cook of Bartley, NE died Friday, February 1, 2008 at Community Hospital in McCook. He was 62 years old.

Merlin was born on August 19, 1945 in Scott City, Kansas to Wade A. and Grace E. (Wilken) Cook. He was raised on a farm northeast of Oberlin. He graduated from Decatur County High School in 1963. He continued his education in Denver, CO attending Trade School for electronics for 1 year, and in California graduating from American Truck Driving School.

He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1964 and served two terms during the Vietnam War. Then he joined the Marine Corps Reserves. He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in 1972.

Merlin married Tokako Yamaki in 1971 at the American Embassy, Tokyo, Japan. They divorced in 1975. To this union three daughters were born. He later married Vickie L. Province on January 5, 1979 in Tucumcari, NM. To this union a son and a daughter were born. They eventually made their home in Bartley.

Merlin had a love for truck driving...he drove semi-trucks for over 30 years. When he drove coast to coast, he was the Trucker Buddy for Central Elementary in McCook, NE. At the time of his death, he was a truck driver for Crete Carriers in North Platte delivering to Wal-Mart stores. Before working for Crete he had driven 2 million accident free miles.

Merlin also had a love for motorcycles. While he was in Japan, he raced motocross. He had a Goldwing at the time of his death.

In his free time, Merlin enjoyed fishing, hunting, riding his bike, family, and doing things outside.

Preceding him in death were his father, Wade A. Cook; father and mother-in-law, Bob L. and Neva I. Province.

Survivors include his wife, Vickie L. Cook of Bartley, NE ; four daughters, Tami, Susan, Nancy, and Cristy Cook with special friend, Joshua Laya, of Sacramento, CA; son, Wayne Cook and wife, Jenny, of North Platte; mother, Grace E. Cook of Oberlin, KS; brother, Harold Cook of Norton, KS; two sisters, Jenette Miller and friend, Sam, of Oberlin, KS and Connie and husband, Ed Quador, of Pueblo West, CO; brother-in-law Rick Province and wife, Paris, of McCook, NE and sister-in-law Brenda Province of Revena, NE; seven nephews and four nieces, many other family, numerous friends, and lots of trucker buddies. He will be dearly missed by all.

Memorials were to be given in his name.

Memorial services were Thursday, February 7, 2008, 1:00 p.m., at Carpenter Breland Chapel in McCook with Pastor Jon Albrecht officiating. Inurnment took place in the Oberlin Cemetery.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook is in charge of the arrangements.