Bernie Patterson “Pat” Cook, Jr.

On October 11, 2022, Bernie Patterson “Pat” Cook, Jr. passed away at the age of 84 in his home with family by his side. He was a Christian and is now in his heavenly home, reuniting with family and friends.

Pat was an only child born to Bernie Patterson Cook, Sr. and Clarice Louise (Buffalo) Cook of Carlisle, Arkansas.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ruth Gail (Johnson) Cook, and his son, Kyle, and his daughter, Mary Gail.     

He is also survived by his grandson, Miles, whose arrival twenty years ago inspired him to immediately relocate from his beloved hometown of Carlisle to Springdale where he continued to work as a pharmacist until the age of 79. 

Even after twenty years in the hills Pat had never come to acknowledge Springdale as his “home” and would outwardly express his desire to return to the beautiful and fertile prairie lands of Carlisle.  But in private moments, he would share with his daughter that his love for and desire to remain near his son and grandson in northwest Arkansas actually transcended everything, even his powerful longing to return to his birthplace.  

Pat’s earlier education included attendance at the Carlisle schools, graduating in 1956.  At Carlisle Junior High and Senior High School, he was active in sports.  He was captain of the football team in 1955.  

Pat also graduated from University of Tennessee (Memphis) Pharmacy School in 1961 and had been a member of the Arkansas Pharmacists Association for over 60 years.  He was self-employed at Carlisle Drug Company from 1965 until 1989 at which time he and Harold Lewis combined their stores and operated as the Lewis-Cook Drug Store until 2002.  Although his health had declined significantly over the past year, he recently reminded us that it was almost time for him to complete the required online CE classes.  You see, he had never given up his dream of returning to work.   

Pat was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church in Carlisle, and more recently he has been a member of the First Baptist Church in Fayetteville.   

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 30, 2022, at First Baptist Church in Carlisle with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m.  The family has already had a private burial service at the Carlisle Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 25, Carlisle, AR 72024 or to the charity of your choice.

The family wishes to thank all of the relatives, friends, acquaintances, work colleagues and loyal customers who showed kindness to Pat throughout the years. So many family and special friends had predeceased him, but he was very blessed to still have close friends Charles Graves, Ray and Vickie Glover, and Sonny Moery. Finally, a special thank you goes out to Sharon (Murray) Williams who generously provided almost constant support and so much knowledge to us over the past few months. May God repay each of you for your kindnesses.

4 thoughts on “Bernie Patterson “Pat” Cook, Jr.”

  1. Pat was always “Ms. Kate’s little nephew.” He was such a friendly little guy. Pat will be missed by all who knew him. Another friend will be ready to meet us on the other side of the river. They are having a big reunion right now.

  2. Just remembering so many good times with Pat , growing up he would take me on his Cushman Eagle for a ride, play with his electric train , encouraged me to play football and was a special friend. You have my prayers for the entire family.

  3. Pat & I were classmates @ UT College of pharmacy ! He was a great & fun guy , too smart, he always messed up the grading curve. 😀. We never visited after school but I have many fond memories of Pat!!! Clifton Exum, Jackson Tn

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