Lee Orville Cook

  General Notes:

Obituary:
Leo O. Cook of Camarillo went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, March 12, 2008, at the age of 80.

Leo was born on Oct. 1, 1927, in Apache, Okla., where he grew up. He served honorably in the Army Air Corps during World War II. After the war, Leo was awarded a scholarship to play basketball at New Mexico State University in Los Cruces, N.M. During the 1951 to 1952 basketball season, the New Mexico State men's basketball team won both the NAIA and the NCAA championship titles, becoming the only team to ever win both tournaments. Leo graduated with a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in mathematics and engineering.

Leo and his former basketball teammates reunited in January of 2000 at New Mexico State and were inducted into the athletics hall of fame.

For over 33 years, he had worked at Point Mugu Pacific Naval Missile Ranger as supervisor of field management.

Leo was actively involved in church ministry all his life, most recently at Camarillo Christian Church as a teacher.

He is survived by his wife, a son, two daughters, four stepsons, 14 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; and another great-grandchild due in July; two brothers, three sisters, and a sister-in-law. Leo was very proud of his children and delighted in his grandchildren.

(Names of survivors not included)

Published by Conejo Mountain Funeral Home and Memorial Park.

Additional note Leo was preceded in death by his first wife Mabel, his parents Olten and Vera Cook, a sister Ruby, and a brother Ralph.

Lee married Mabel McCormick, daughter of David Riggs McCormick and Gertrude Georgina Bartholomew. (Mabel McCormick died before 2009.)