Gene Albert Cook, 91, of Leesburg, Florida, passed away peacefully at his home on June 12th, 2024. He was born on August 21st,1932, in Greenville, South Carolina.  Gene was the son of Luther Albert Cook and Elizabeth Crowe Cook of Fountain Inn, South Carolina.

In 1954, Gene married Shirley Ann Willis, from Fountain Inn, SC., with whom he had two sons: Sam Gene Cook (Julie Cook) of Burleson, TX., and Phillip Keith Cook of Fountain Inn, SC.

In 1970, Gene married Faye Forrester Sanders, from Sunbright, TN. Faye, from a previous marriage, had four children: John Sanders (Linda Sanders) of Marina, CA., Anita Dickard (Dr. Wayne Dickard) of Easley, SC., Lucy Johnson (Widow of James Ronald Johnson) of Anderson, SC., and Matthew Sanders (Linda Sanders) of Middletown, MD.

Gene is survived by all his children, as well as his 12 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Gene began his career as a Ticket Agent with Delta Air Lines at Greenville Municipal Airport in Greenville, SC. During that time, he worked with Cliff Barrow to get the Billy Graham Hour of Power tape to Minneapolis on a weekly basis. He then transferred with Delta to Palm Beach International Airport, in West Palm Beach, FL. Later, Gene moved to Augusta Bush Field in Augusta, GA., with Delta - greeting famous golfers such as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicholas and Gary Player, for the annual Master's Golf Tournament.

Gene began his entrepreneurial career, by returning to his hometown of Fountain Inn, SC., to buy and operate, over time, three local grocery stores. One, he purchased from his uncle, Pierce Cook. He would go on to own the Cook Real Estate Company in Anderson, SC. and he developed the Royal Oaks Apartments in Clemson, SC.

He and his wife, Faye, owned and operated the Baskin Robbins Ice Cream parlor in the Anderson Mall for over 7 years. The two of them also enjoyed ballroom dancing with some of their close friends, including Louis Sullivan. They were also able to cruise to many places around the world, including Australia and New Zealand. In addition to international travelling, they also enjoyed traveling across the United States, in their different motorhomes and were active members of the Good Sam Club and the Family Motorcoach Association.

In 2022, Gene moved to Leesburg, FL., where he stayed until the day he passed. Gene was also a member of the First Baptist Church of Leesburg, where he attended regularly.

During the time that Gene lived in Anderson, SC., he attended Sierra Baptist Church, where he wholeheartedly enjoyed all their Social Hall events.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be sent, in Gene's honor, to the Social Hall Fund. All donations may be sent to the following address:

Sierra Baptist Church

2800 Waccamaw Trail

Anderson, South Carolina

29621