Nevada Rural Housing Authority Mourns Death of Board Commissioner, Former Chairman, Vice Chairman, Tom Cook

CARSON CITY — The Nevada Rural Housing Authority staff, along with its Board of Commissioners, are mourning the death of Commission member, Tom Cook. Cook died at Carson Tahoe Hospital, while surrounded by loving family, on April 25, 2013.

“The world lost a committed public servant and the Nevada Rural Housing Authority lost a dear friend,” said NRHA Executive Director, Gary Longaker. “Those who had the pleasure of knowing and working with Tom stood in awe of his commitment to serve his community. It didn’t matter whether a project was big or small, Tom was there to lend a hand and ensure its success. He was loved by all and will be sorely missed,” he said.

Cook was appointed to the NRHA Board of Commissioners in 1999 by the Nevada League of Cities and Municipalities. Longaker said, “Tom brought a lot to the table including his vast knowledge, experience, uncompromising standards, and good humor.”

At NRHA, Cook was known as a catalyst for change. Longaker said, “He worked with the other board members to grow the organization, establish its goals and objectives through strategic planning, and ensured it stayed on course.” He added, “Tom was committed to ensuring the agency did not veer from its original mission of providing subsidized housing for needy citizens. Tom also worked to help NRHA increase rural homeownership and assist communities in developing more affordable housing options.”

During Cook’s service there has been a lengthy list of accomplishments which includes the development and implementation of the Home at Last™ program credited with helping more than 1,500 rural Nevadans purchase their first home. There have also been significant rehabilitation projects including the Southgate Apartments in Carson City that enables low-income seniors to maintain their independence. This was NRHA’s first tax-credit rehabilitation.

Cook’s accomplishments are many. He served as a Board Member for the Town of Gardnerville starting in 1994. In 2004, he was named “Public Official of the Year” by the Nevada League of Cities and Municipalities. He spent 30 years with Lions Clubs International where he was known affectionately as “Bubba” and where he was conferred as a Charter Life Member of the Blind Center of Nevada for his support of their organization that resulted in the creation of the Thomas J. Cook Fellowship to recognize outstanding support for the Lions Club Student Speakers Contest.

Born in Bogard, Missouri on September 27, 1929 and raised in Leavenworth, Kansas, Tom showed an early interest in music, playing the piano before finding the instrument he came to master and love, the trumpet. In his early teens, Tom started his own band, “Tommy’s Tunes”, playing the big-band and jazz sounds which he enjoyed throughout life. Tom’s skills with his trumpet allowed him to play with the likes of Louis Prima and Sam Butera as they began their rise to fame.

Master Gunnery Sergeant Tom Cook spent 30 years in the United States Marine Corps. He was a proud Marine and a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam wars. While he chose to speak little of his time in the service, such as surviving the battle of Chosin Reservoir, Tom did not hesitate to share how the Corps allowed him to continue his love of music with the Marine Corps Band. Tom was a member of the prestigious Marine Corps Band known as “The President’s Own.”

When he retired to civilian life, Tom worked in many industries, including ranching and gaming, and built several successful businesses while continuing to build on his legacy of service by volunteering in his local community.

“Tom made such a difference and touched so many lives,” said Longaker. “Our prayers and thoughts are with him and his family. He was one in a million. His memory will forever be in our hearts.”