Russell Dale Cook

Russell Dale Cook, age 91, of Hallsville, Missouri passed from this life to the next on February 27, 2026. 

Russell was born on September 25, 1934, near Red Rock Church in Boone County, Missouri to the late Charles Orla and Gertie Gay (Forbis) Cook.

He was a graduate of Hallsville High School and received his bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Missouri - Columbia. He served his country in the U.S. Army.

An avid fan of the Missouri Tigers, Russell worked at the University of Missouri as Head of Payroll Operations for all their campuses until his retirement. In 1995, Russell received the annual MU Retiree of the Year award.

Russell was a highly active, engaged, and beloved member of the Hallsville community and possessed a lifelong passion for his community and family. Some of his activities and associations include Hallsville Masonic Lodge; Hallsville Lions Club; former member of Boone County R-IV school board; serving on the city's P&Z Board of Adjustments and Cable Quality Commission, caretaker of the Hallsville High School Alumni Association records; Hallsville Historical Society; and treasurer of Red Rock Cemetery Association. He was also recognized as Hallsville Citizen of the Year multiple times. 

Russell led with good humor, wisdom, and kind intent, and is fondly remembered for the countless acts of service towards others over his 91 years.

Russell is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his eleven siblings, Lucille Ott, Wilma Ott, Robert Cook, Genelle Ravenscraft, Clinton Cook, Verdell Cook, Leo Cook, Spencer Cook, Shirley Jean Durk, Betty Harpert and Donna Chandler. 

A Funeral Service honoring Russell's life will be held at 12:00 p.m., Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Park Lane Community Church, 11700 N. Route B, Hallsville MO 65255. Family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until time for the service at 12:00 p.m. Private family burial will follow the service at Red Rock Cemetery, Harrisburg, Missouri.  

Memorial contributions may be made to the Red Rock Cemetery or the American Cancer Society.  In lieu of monetary contributions and in memory of the measureless good acts that defined Russell's life, the family encourages you to commit to an act of good service to another. 

Online condolences and tributes may be shared with the family at www.bachyager.com.

Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the Cook family.

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