Nolan Cook, founder of Cook Produce, had passion for the business
Nolan Cook, founder of Cook Produce, had passion for the business
James Nolan Cook, founder of Cook Produce Inc. in Glendale, AZ, died Dec. 5, 2005, after a short illness. He was 85.
Born Nov. 17, 1919 in Key West Township, Coffey County, KS, Mr. Cook moved with his family to Salinas, CA, in 1935, where he soon found employment in the produce industry.
During World War II, Mr. Cook served in the U.S. Navy, and while stationed in the Panama Canal Zone, he met his wife, Katheryn (Kay) Jane Sanders of Fort Worth, TX, who was serving there with the Red Cross.
After the war, they moved to Salinas where Mr. Cook worked for Bud Antle Inc. as sales manager. In 1956, when he was still working for Antle, they relocated to Phoenix.
Mr. Cook and a business partner started Cook Produce, a produce growing and marketing company, in 1958. That association continued until the early 1970s. Thereafter, he continued work in produce sales, either on his own or for other companies, until his retirement in 1992.
Although family always came first, Mr. Cook always had a passion for the produce business. He loved produce and enjoyed talking about it, according to his son, David Cook. He loved the action of the business, he loved selling and he loved the excitement created by the uncertainties of weather and other factors constantly affecting the crops and the market.
He was known as a supplier of Iceberg lettuce and was respected by both his customers and competitors "for being top-class, honest, ethical [and] a man of his word," David Cook said.
He was also known for his generosity. "The stories of his generosity are numerous," David Cook said, adding that he gave many breaks and opportunities to friends and relatives.
David Cook, who is now sales manager at Deardorff-Jackson Co. in Oxnard, CA, recalled that his father gave him his first produce industry job, supervising the cultivation and harvesting of lettuce.
Mr. Cook served as a fundraiser for the Boy Scouts of America, the Church of the Beatitudes and many produce industry organizations.
Born Nov. 17, 1919 in Key West Township, Coffey County, KS, Mr. Cook moved with his family to Salinas, CA, in 1935, where he soon found employment in the produce industry.
During World War II, Mr. Cook served in the U.S. Navy, and while stationed in the Panama Canal Zone, he met his wife, Katheryn (Kay) Jane Sanders of Fort Worth, TX, who was serving there with the Red Cross.
After the war, they moved to Salinas where Mr. Cook worked for Bud Antle Inc. as sales manager. In 1956, when he was still working for Antle, they relocated to Phoenix.
Mr. Cook and a business partner started Cook Produce, a produce growing and marketing company, in 1958. That association continued until the early 1970s. Thereafter, he continued work in produce sales, either on his own or for other companies, until his retirement in 1992.
Although family always came first, Mr. Cook always had a passion for the produce business. He loved produce and enjoyed talking about it, according to his son, David Cook. He loved the action of the business, he loved selling and he loved the excitement created by the uncertainties of weather and other factors constantly affecting the crops and the market.
He was known as a supplier of Iceberg lettuce and was respected by both his customers and competitors "for being top-class, honest, ethical [and] a man of his word," David Cook said.
He was also known for his generosity. "The stories of his generosity are numerous," David Cook said, adding that he gave many breaks and opportunities to friends and relatives.
David Cook, who is now sales manager at Deardorff-Jackson Co. in Oxnard, CA, recalled that his father gave him his first produce industry job, supervising the cultivation and harvesting of lettuce.
Mr. Cook served as a fundraiser for the Boy Scouts of America, the Church of the Beatitudes and many produce industry organizations.
