Kendall Lee Cook
Kendall Lee Cook passed away peacefully in Townsend, Georgia, on April 17, 2024. He and his companion Rufus, had recently began to call Georgia their new home after living in Vermont for over 30 years.
Kendall served in the United States military as a Special 4, Military Police officer. He toured Germany as a guard and watchman from 1976-1978. He was honorably discharged at the end of his tour.
While growing up, his parents, Marvin and Bonnie Cook operated a farm near Meadville, Pennsylvania. It was here where Kendall grew a passion for farming. He continued to farm throughout his life.
Often wearing a tattered or humorous T-shirt, Kendall’s iconic look included leather apparel, jeans, a hat, and prescription orange tinted glasses. His unique glasses were essential for him to see, due to an accident on his parents’ farm when he was a boy. Over 30 years ago, his parents moved to Vermont and after operating a bed and breakfast they opened a cleaning business, The Madmen, and a small hobby farm in Warren, Vermont. After his father, Marvin, passed he took over his father’s farm and continued to love and take care of his mother as much she loved and took care of him. Farming was his passion and teaching his children traditional agriculture gave him a sense of great pride and joy.
The only activity Kendall liked more than farming was fishing. He enjoyed all types of fishing from the ocean to the river or a lake. He could often astound others by catching huge fish with just a worm on a small pole.
Kendall held various jobs throughout his life and would always try to help out his fellow neighbor. Drawing from philosophy inspired by Zen Buddhism, he strived for a sense of peace and never sought harm on others.
Kendall believed all woman were beautiful in their own way and made them smile and laugh whenever he could. He was married three times. He is survived by three children, Heather Lynne from his first marriage; and Kyle (36) and Kaley (29) from the second.
Towards the end of Kendall’s life, his last wish was to live near the Atlantic and go fishing. He bought an RV and began his last adventure south. With some challenges and tight finances, he landed near Darien, Georgia, where he befriended Wade Buckley and other locals and decided to stay for a time.
He will be memorialized in Maine, where he had vacationed frequently. Drawing from his Native American roots he asked to have a ceremony symbolic of that heritage. His ashes will be spread in the ocean with one last chance to go fishing, in his honor.
