Russell John Cook, Lt. Col. U.S. Army, Retired, age 88, of Mount Laurel, NJ, formerly of Riverton, NJ, passed on September 24, 2023.

Russ was born and raised in St. Louis, MO to the late Margaret F. and John Cook. He earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from The University of Missouri where he was a member of the ROTC. Following college Russ began his 20-year active-duty career, 1957 to 1977, with the United States Army. During his tenure with the Army, he was stationed in various places, including Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and served overseas in Korea and Vietnam. He spent 18-months in Vietnam assigned to the IG Inspection Team and the Air Defense Group. Following his time overseas he was assigned to the Pentagon where he worked from 1970 to 1977 until his retirement from the Army and during which he earned his rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Following his U.S. Army career, Russ relocated with his family to Riverton, NJ and worked many years for RCA & GE in Camden as a Defense Contract Manager, continuing his connection to the US Military. He then went on to work for the Borough of Riverton as Treasurer for several years before his retirement.

Russ, his wife Suzette and their children lived in Riverton for over 20-years. Russ was very active and served for many years on the Riverton Boad of Education, volunteered with the Riverton 4th of July Committee including serving as Chairman for 3-years, and was still a proud active member and past officer of the Palmyra-Riverton-Cinnaminson Lions Club. They lived in Augusta, GA for several years before relocating back to Mt. Laurel, NJ in 2005.

In addition to his parents, Russ was predeceased by his beloved infant son, Russell Taylor Cook (1973), his sister, Marge Cook, and his grandson, Brett Berdini. He is survived by; his beloved wife of almost 56-years, Suzette Salet Cook; his dear children, Marie Berdini and her husband Tom, John Cook and his wife Jennifer, and Michael Cook and his wife Karyn; along with his loving grandchildren, Annalise Berdini and her husband Tom Philpott, Paul L. Sweeney, IV, Jane Sweeney, Taylor Cook, and Bennett Cook. Russ is also survived by his brother, Donald Cook and his wife Helen, as well as by his many Nephews and their families.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing on Sunday, October 1, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and on Monday, October 2, 2023 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at the Weber Funeral Home, 112 Broad Street, Riverton, NJ 08077, followed by his Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM on Monday, October 2, 2023 at Sacred Heart Church, 4th Street & Linden Avenue, Riverton, NJ 08077. Burial with Military Honors will take place at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory to any of the following would be preferred: Sacred Heart Church, 103 4th St., Riverton, NJ 08077; the PRC Lions Club, PO Box 154, Palmyra, NJ 08065; The Purple Heart, www.purpleheartfoundation.org; or The Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org   Remembrances may be shared with his family at the link on this page or at www.weberfuneralhomeinc.com