Charles Roe Cook
Charles “Chuck” Roe Cook died at home on Saturday, August 15, 2026, following a battle with cancer. Chuck was born in Muskegon on August 12, 1954, to Wade and Nancy (Francis) Cook. Just after he turned one, his parents as well as his paternal grandparents moved to Charlotte. After graduating from Charlotte High School in 1972, he attended Ferris State University but returned back to Charlotte to help in the family business. With Wade’s unexpected death in 1974, Chuck became a partner in Cook Heating and Air Conditioning with his grandfather.
In 1980, Chuck went to the Charlotte Frontier Days Saloon where he unexpectedly ran into a former classmate, Kathie Fulton. On November 27, 1982, they were married and moved to Battle Creek. Along the way, he worked for Combined Insurance and Migala Carpet, but returned to college, attending Olivet College and making the Dean’s List every semester. He was just short of his degree in elementary education when he began working at Fulton Lumber, where he was the yard supervisor. He discovered that he loved being a “yard dog” (his term), working hard outdoors with carpenters, handymen and DIYers, before retiring in 2017.
Chuck was a proud and loving father to Matt and Rob, and happily welcomed his two daughters-in-law, Jessica and Shannan, into the family. But he truly lost his heart to his two granddaughters, Evelo and Annabelle. His favorite activity was baking cookies with his two “sweeties”!
Over the years, his interest in sports ranged from season tickets to MIS to see NASCAR and Indy Cars, to golf (both playing and watching), and yard games. But he was a life-long Lions and Tigers fan and enjoyed an annual trip to a Tiger’s game with his sons for many years.
Family celebrations in his childhood meant trip to Newark, Ohio for Francis gatherings or to St. Joseph for Cook gatherings. Later, after moving back to Charlotte in 1993, it meant getting together on the front porch for wonderful cook-outs. Fortunate to have lots of family in the area, his happiest times were just “hanging out”.
Chuck instilled a solid work ethic in his children and was proud of his ability to create solutions to virtually every woodworking or building problem. He thoroughly enjoyed working with Bob, Christi, and Mike as well as both sons, and a host of nieces and nephews. He has a remarkable memory for names and faces, and always had a joke or funny story to share. During his illness, he made friends with every doctor, nurse, aide, tech and cleaner.
Chuck is survived by his loving wife of nearly 44 years, Kathie; his sons, Matt (Jessica Hix) and Rob (Shannon); his granddaughters, Evelo and Annabelle; his sister, Cathy (Daen) Cook; his brothers, Jim (Lisa) and Bill (Meredith) Cook; sister-in-law, Christi (Tom) Dutcher, brother-in-law, Mike (Janice) Fulton; brother-in-law, Richard Butman as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is predeceased by his parents; and sister-in-law, Barbara Fulton.
Friends are encouraged to support Chuck’s family by attending services or sharing memories on his Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was Friday, August 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Memorial services are Saturday, August 22, at 11 a.m. at The First Congregational Church in Charlotte with Pastor Adam Droscha officiating. Interment will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to First Congregational Church in Charlotte, or the Charlotte Public Schools Education Foundation. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.