DOVER - Horace Wilson Cook passed away, July 12, 2018 at home with his family by his side.
Mr. Cook was born Nov. 3, 1930 in Bessemer City, N.C. to the late Wilson Calhoun Cook and Maggie Johnson Cook.
He joined the Army at an early age and served three years stationed in Frankfurt, Germany. Mr. Cook was discharged in 1949 to accept civilian employment as a commissary manager for the U.S. Army in Frankfurt, Germany.
Mr. Cook married his wife in 1953 in Frankfurt, Germany and soon after moved to Baltimore, Md. where he worked for the Food Fair Corporation as an assistant store manager. He was later promoted to store manager and in 1959 was asked to open the first Food Fair supermarket (later known as Pantry Pride) in the Rodney Village Shopping Center located in Dover. During his tenure with the company he opened and managed two supermarkets in the Dover area. In 1981, along with local investors and employees, he bought and opened the first Thriftway supermarket located on Leipsic Road. Later opening another store located at Carroll's Corner, eventually ending up with six different stores in various locations.
Over the years, Mr. Cook has served as, Dover Chamber of Commerce president, Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce president, founding member of the Air Force Association, military affairs committee chairman, president of the Galaxy Chapter of the Air Force Association, president of Dover Rotary Club, president of Rodney Village Civic Association, president of the Mid Atlantic Food Dealers Association, a member of Union Lodge #7, Wesley United Methodist Church in Dover, Elks Lodge BPOE 1903, in addition to other various charities and community projects. Horace Cook was a proud local businessman who believed in fairness to all, help with community service and most importantly "Service Above Self"
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by wife, Katie "Kitty" Oestreich Cook in 2011; brother, Jim Cook; and sister, Betty Wells.
He is survived by his sons, William Cook of Ocean City, Md., John Cook (Dottie) of Wyoming; daughter, Donna Lippincott (Bart) of Middletown; brother, Phil Cook (Tammy) of New Smyrna Beach, Fla.; sisters, Doris Faulkner of Lumberton, N.C., Margie Adams of Waynesville, N.C. and Marcella Love of Laurinburg, N.C.; grandchildren, Adam Cook, Jason Cook (Dawn), Jamie Cook Thompson (Chase), Jennifer Snyder, and Eric Lippincott; great grandchildren, Wyatt Cook, Anna Kate Thompson, Landon Cook, Katie Thompson, and Townsend Lippincott. His loving family abroad in Germany, his close companion, Wilsie Haber; and his longtime friend and neighbor, Sokie Shiels.
A visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, July 19, 2018, at Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Road (Rt.10), Dover.
In lieu of flowers the family suggested contributions made to a community-based organization of your choice. Horace supported local organizations such as Delaware Hospice, the USO, Rotary, Church, the Dover Airbase museum, or any veteran support organization.
Letters of condolences may be sent and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com