LEE R. 'BUTCH' COOK JR., 58, BYRON, Il.-
Lee R. "Butch" Cook Jr., 58, died Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006, at Swedish American Hospital in Rockford.
He was born July 22, 1948, in Sterling, to Lee R. and Diana (Mazini) Cook.
 He previously worked 12 years for Sivil-Conmat in Freeport as a heavy-equipment operator.
Butch served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam from June 29, 1970, to Jan. 21, 1972, where he was a Purple Heart recipient, and earned many other honors.
He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Disabled Veterans, D troop 3/5 and C troop 3/17th Association.
Butch volunteered for the Rockford VA outpost station.
He was formerly active as a lieutenant for the Byron Fire Department, where he served as an EMT, underwater rescue and paramedic for 15 years.
Survived by his wife, Lisa; son, Jared, 15, of Byron; brother, Michael (Tempy) Cook of Louisville, Ky.; sister, Theresa (David) Papenfuss of Byron; stepbrothers, Robert (Diana) Goss of Deltona, Fla., and Thomas (Karen) Goss of Rock Falls; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Diana Mazini Cook, and his parents, Lee and Laura (Harrington) Cook.
 Service at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, in Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home, 506 W. Merchant St.,
with the Rev. Randy Snider, pastor of First Baptist Church of Byron, officiating. Visitation from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home.
 Burial in Byron Cemetery.
 A memorial fund is established in his name.
 To send condolences online, visit www.farrell hollandgale.com.