Funeral Services for Phillip L. Cook, Age 89 of Diggins, Missouri will be held on Tuesday, October 27th, 2026 at The Greater Life Apostolic Church, Seymour, Missouri, beginning at 11:00 AM. Visitation will take place on Monday, October 26th, 2026 at The Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Seymour, Missouri from 5:00-7:00 PM. Burial will take place in The Gentry Cemetery, Seymour, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gentry Cemetery in care of the funeral home.
Philip Lee Cook, son of the late Freeda Lillian (Shields) and Benjamin Franklin Cook, Sr., was born outside of Seymour, Webster County, Missouri, on September 7th, 1936. At the young age of 9 years, he lost his father in an accident and the family moved to various locations around the Seymour community but stayed for a lengthy time on the old Walter Tate homeplace.
Our Beloved Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Uncle, Brother-in-law, Brother, Neighbor and Friend passed on Monday, October 19th, 2026 at the Birch Pointe Facility in Springfield, Missouri with his family by his side.
Phil attended the Burnett, Liberty, and Seymour Schools, with his closest friends being the Cardwell boys, David and Alferd Bowers, along with a host of other ‘ruffians’. Trips to Mansfield, Ava, and Marshfield with the guys were always a way to spend Friday and Saturday evenings, which began quite early, and ending mostly with trouble in some form.
In 1959, he married “his little sweetheart” (as he called her), Mabel Bernice Langley at the home of Rev. Roy Cantrell in Seymour, Missouri. This union lasted for 58 years until Mabel passed in 2017. The Cooks made their home in the Seymour Community for a number of years; both at the ‘big house’, near where Yates Towing Service is today, and the ‘little farm’, northeast of Seymour.
In 2009, the Cooks celebrated 50 years of marriage and were inundated with cards, phone calls, gifts and a celebration of their accomplishment from well-wishers across the country whose lives had been touched and forever changed by their ministry, generosity, love and compassion.
They were truly devoted to each other, their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, Family, Friends and Community-but most of all to God.
In 1967, after being invited by Grandma Belle Owens, Mabel’s grandmother, to join her in a revival service at the Old Pentecostal Church in Diggins, Phil surrendered his life completely to the service of God while Rev. Freddie McKnight was preaching. He followed this action with Baptism in Jesus’ Name and the infilling of the Holy Ghost. Through the years, He ministered to hundreds, saw countless miracles, and delivered an untold number of messages both locally and across the states of Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Colorado, and Alaska while being a youth leader, Assistant Pastor and Pastor. He served as a Sectional Presbyter of the United Pentecostal Church while pastoring in Kansas.
In 2021, he was inducted into the Apostolic Ministerial Hall of Fame and Museum in Joplin, Missouri, by Director, Dr. Gary Garrett.
His last Pastorate was at Harvestime Tabernacle in Marshfield, Missouri, where he continued ministering and preaching until his health began declining, and although as he would say, ‘One never retires from the Ministry’, he chose to slow down some and was rewarded by sitting under the ministry and teachings of Rev. and Mrs. Trey Elliott at Diggins Greater Life Church.
Throughout his life, Phil was a Patriot who loved his country and he faithfully served in the Air Force protecting our Freedoms with an Honorable Discharge. He worked at numerous jobs including Henningson’s, an egg-plant in Springfield, Missouri, in the 1960’s with his uncle, Dee Cook and lifelong friend-Dave Bowers. He also worked at Glenstone Block and Willard Block with his good friend and boss-Reuben Phillips. Prior to retirement, he remodeled homes, businesses and was responsible for renovating portions of the upstairs and basement area of the Webster County Courthouse, including the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and the 911 Dispatch and Office.
He was predeceased by his parents; his loving wife, Mabel; his in-laws, Robert & Rosie Langley; along with his three brothers: Elston and his wife, Juanita Cook and son, Travis Eugene Cook; Fred N. Cook, Sr. and son, Fred Cook, Jr.; and Ben ‘Dude’ and his wife, Barsha Cook. Passing before him as well were his three sisters: Freeda ‘Snookie’ and her husband, John Corner and her son, Bobby Treat; Anita Jo and her husband, Steve Kelly; Jean and her husband, David Bowers and their daughters, Diana Lynn and Lisa Ann; a grandson, Nathaniel Cook, also passed prior. In addition, two brothers-in-law, Dee (Eula Faye) Owens and Wayne Langley passed.
Phil leaves behind 3 children: daughter-Marcia Curtis (John) of Diggins, Missouri, along with their children: Chris and Lara Curtis, and daughters-Sara and Emma; Derek and Claire Curtis and their daughter, Quin, with another baby on the way in June, ’27; and son-Jack Curtis; daughter-LeAnnette McDonald and her daughter, Cali Mae; son-Nathan Cook of Marshfield, Missouri, and his children-Emily, Aubre and husband-Marshal Pitt and their son, Leegan; Seth Vickers, Gracie (Cook) and Jace Horton with son-Jaylen Horton; Natalie, Ellee, and Shaun; sisters-in-law: Elinor (Gary) Perkins of Springfield, Missouri, and Joyce Kay Langley also survive.
In addition, Phil leaves behind several cousins, nieces, nephews, neighbors and Friends to Mourn the Vacancy left, but to Rejoice at his Homegoing!
Visitation for Phil will
