Ellsworth Blair Cook

HAMILTON - Ellsworth Blair Cook, 89, of Hamilton passed away Friday, April 16, 2010 at the Discovery Care Centre of natural causes. He was born June 19, 1920 in Lansing, MI the son of Robert and Mae Cook.
Ellsworth moved to the Bitterroot Valley with his family in 1924. He attending Hamilton Elementary School until the 6th grade and then attended Grantsdale School. Ellsworth graduated from Hamilton High School in 1939. After high school he enrolled into the Civil Conservation Corp and was stationed at Haugen, MT and then Neihart, MT. Ellsworth then returned home to Hamilton and was a laborer. In 1942, he was drafted into the US Army and served with Headquarters Company, 607th Tank Destroyer Battalion. Ellsworth was honorably discharged on August 4, 1943 and returned to the Hamilton area. He went to work for the JC Penny Company and remained there until 1950. Ellsworth married the love of his life, Anna L. Lafray on June 20, 1950. After his honeymoon, Ellsworth went to work for the Fords Federated Clothing Store as a clerk and bookkeeper.
Two children were born in Ellsworth and Anna's household, a son, Fred in 1953 and a daughter, Carol in 1956. Ellsworth retired from Fords in June of 1985 after selling a huge mountain of shoes, boots and men's clothing.
Ellsworth has been a member at Christ Bible Church since it was first started in 1953. He enjoyed gardening until a few years ago when the work got to be too much for him. He also did a lot of volunteering at Valley View Nursing Home and the Discovery Care Centre by playing old time music and hymns on his harmonica, which he continued to do almost until the time of his death.
Ellsworth was preceded in death by his loving wife, Anna; his sister, Sylvia Cook, who died in infancy; his sister, Lucille Patterson; and many nieces and nephews. He is survived by his son, Fred Cook of Hamilton; his daughter, Carol Cook of Hamilton and many nieces, nephews and friends.