Gordon Cook, owner of Citrus Heights Saw & Mower at 7238 Auburn Blvd. near Sylvan Corners passed away May 18, 2019, surrounded by his family, following a long illness and struggle with dementia.
He was born in January 1935 in Lansing, Michigan. His family moved to the Sacramento area in 1947 and he graduated from El Camino High School, Class of 1954.
Citrus Heights Saw & Mower will close at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 7, for a Memorial Service and will reopen on Saturday, June 8, at 8 a.m.
A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Gordon was stationed at Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he met Phyllis Stapes, the love of his life. They were married and celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary in April.
Gordon was a mechanic at Aero Jet General, and purchased Citrus Heights Saw & Mower, an outdoor power equipment/repair store in 1964. At that time, the selling and repairing of lawn mowing equipment was a very seasonal business. It is hard to believe now, but in the early years, Gordon would sell firewood at the Citrus Heights shop during the fall and winter to make ends meet.
He also coached his son’s teams at Northridge Little League in the late 1960s and early 1970s, enjoyed playing softball and continued playing on a Senior Softball League until he was no longer physically able. Long-time residents may remember Gordon Cook was a fixture at the Citrus Heights city parades, being on the Clown Patrol and then driving his beloved 1931 truck. A longtime hunter and avid fisherman, Gordon and Phyllis enjoyed many summer camping and fishing trips and family reunions in Truckee.
Gordon was preceded in death by his father and mother, Fred and Hazel Cook, his brother Fred Cook and sister in-law Trudy Cook. He is survived by his wife Phyllis, sons Gordon Jr and Gary (wife Teresa), grandchildren John Cook (wife Alyssa), Ryan Cook, Kendra (Cook) Mullen (husband Matt) and Brandon Cook, great-grandchildren Graysen Cook and Bennett Cook, numerous nieces and nephews and a lifetime of friends.
A viewing will be held on Thursday, June 6, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Mt. Vernon Mortuary 8201 Greenback Lane, Fair Oaks. Graveside services will be held on Friday, June 7, at 1:30 p.m. at Mt. Vernon Mortuary. A Celebration of Gordon’s life will also be held Friday, June 7, at 3 p.m. at Sunrise Community Church at 8321 Greenback Ln., Fair Oaks.
*Publisher’s Note: As a free service to family members who have lost a loved one, The Sentinel is now publishing online obituaries of Citrus Heights residents or former residents at no cost. To submit an obituary, click here.
