Bruce Cook

Bruce N. Cook, 84, of Belleville, IL, born Saturday, February 17, 1940, in Parsons, KS., (raised in East St. Louis) passed away Thursday, January 2, 2025 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in Saint Louis, MO.

After high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving four years aboard an aircraft carrier, The Bonhomme Richard. After his service, he attended college at Southern Illinois University in East St. Louis (10th Street Tech). While in college he met the love of his life, Sandra. They would be happily married for almost 60 years.

After college, he attended Law School at the University of Illinois where he was academically successful, and made many lifelong friends. He served as student body president, he was named to the Order of the Coif and delivered the valedictory address at graduation. During law school, Sandra and he were married. While he attended class, she supported them by teaching at rural schools in central Illinois.

After graduation, they came home, where they happily raised three children on the West End of Belleville. In 1969 Bruce opened his own law firm, where he represented countless working men and women in personal injury claims. Over the years, many outstanding lawyers and coworkers worked at the firm, all of whom remained his great friends.

He was a past president of the St. Clair County Bar Association and the East St. Louis Bar Association. He was proud to be a trial lawyer, and was recognized by the National Law Journal as one of the top ten trial lawyers in the state of Illinois. In 2008 he was named Laureate by the Academy of Trial Lawyers. He loved being a lawyer, and was proud that most of his clients became his friends, and stayed in touch, long after their cases had been resolved.

Bruce was active in the community, particularly with Dorothy O. Cook Community Law Center (Land of Lincoln Legal Aid) and Democratic politics. He served as a Democratic national committeeman, and served as Democratic state central committeeman for the 22nd and 23rd Congressional districts from 1988-2000. He was very proud that he held an honorary gold card with Labor Local 100, and of the work he did with union members throughout Southern Illinois.

Outside of work, he enjoyed a variety of hobbies including reading, aviation (stunt pilot), snow skiing, bicycling, fishing, playing with his dogs and sharing food and wine with friends and family. In his later years, he derived the most pleasure from the time he spent with his eight grandchildren.

He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

He was preceded in death by his:

• Daughter, Susannah K. Marison
• Parents, Victor N. and Dorothy, nee Thurston, Cook
• Sister, Elizabeth A. McQueen
• Father and Mother-in-law, Wayne J. and Katherine C. Dressel

Surviving are his:

• Wife, Sandra, nee Dressel, Cook of Belleville, IL
• Sons:
  • Bruce R. Cook of Caseyville, IL
  • Michael N. (Kori) Cook of Belleville, IL
• Grandchildren:
  • John Cook
  • Thomas Cook
  • Madeline Cook
  • Emma Cook
  • Benjamin Cook
  • Sarah Cook
  • Anna Marison
  • Jacob Marison
• Brother, Dr. Victor R. Cook
• Sister, Dr. Jan (Dr. Douglas) Cook-Hansell of Boston, MA
• Son-in-law, Matthew Marison of Belleville, IL
• Numerous nieces and nephews

Memorials: Memorials may be made to the Land of Lincoln Legal Aid.

Visitation: Visitation from 2-5 p.m., Sunday, January 12, 2025 at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, IL.

Funeral: Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, January 13, 2025 at Kurrus Funeral Home, with Father Clyde Grogan officiating. Private family Interment at Green Mount Protestant Cemetery, Belleville, IL.

Obit Provided By:
Kurrus Funeral Home