Coach Billy Dean Cook, 78, of Eupora, passed away Sunday, December 29, 2019 at his residence. He was born August 12, 1941 in Eupora to Bill and Geraldine Franklin Cook. He was a 1960 graduate of Eupora High School and earned a Bachelor's degree from Mississippi State University where he was a member of the football team. He later earned a Master's degree in Education from Delta State University. An avid outdoorsman, Coach Cook enjoyed hunting and fishing and he enjoyed sharing his hunting and fishing skills with his family and many students through the years. He enjoyed a career in education that spanned 39 years having served on the faculty at Cherokee High School in Canton, GA, Calhoun City High School and culminating with a 31 year tenure at Calhoun Academy where he retired as Headmaster. Coach Cook was the first recipient of the Lifetime Cougar Achievement Award and was inducted into the Mississippi Private School Association's Hall of Fame in 2009. He will be fondly remembered for the love that he had for each of his students, players, coaches and teachers – all of whom he considered family. While we mourn his loss, we also celebrate in knowing that his faith has been realized and he has heard "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Funeral services to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday, January 2, 2020 at First Baptist Church in Eupora with Dr. David Hamilton and Rev. Travis Gray officiating. Michael Brasher and Lauren Smith Sultan will deliver eulogies. The committal service will follow in the LaGrange Cemetery near Eupora with Rev. Nathan Hamilton officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM Wednesday evening at the Calhoun Academy Gymnasium and two hours prior to the service Thursday at First Baptist Church – Eupora.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Wendy Hamilton Cook; one daughter, Tracy Herring and her husband, Chuck of Grenada; one son, Rod Cook and his wife, Rene of Pontotoc; one sister, Sara Ann Beck and her husband, Charles of Eupora; four grandchildren, Ty Cook and his wife, Sarah, Annie Clanton and her husband, Chase, Bayley Cook and Warner Herring; three great-grandchildren, Brody Cook, Hayes Cook and McKenzie Cook.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, James Cook and his wife, Sue.

Pallbearers will be Bill Beck, Brody Cook, Jimmy Cook, Ty Cook, Chase Clanton, Will Gaskin, Chuck Herring and Warner Herring. Honorary Pallbearers will be The Ready Sunday school class, Wayne Burton, Tom Childs, J.D. Robertson, Loye Stephens, Buddy Thompson and many other fishing and hunting buddies.

Memorials may be directed to The Cross of Christ, PO Box 433, Eupora, MS 39744 or the Calhoun Academy Foundation, PO Drawer C, Calhoun City, MS 38916.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com .

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada, (662-307-2694).