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Submitted: 7/28/16 • Approved: 7/30/16 • Last Updated: 2/8/20 • R1150502-G1150501-S3
Orville Woodrow
Oct 3, 1920 - Sept 10, 2002
Virginia
Aug 29, 1922 - Sept 17, 2015
Dr. Orville Woodrow Rook died at his home Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 10, 2002, at the age of 81 years. He was born Oct. 3, 1920, the youngest of five children to John Wesley and Leona Grant Rook.
He attended the Cabot Public Schools and graduated in 1938. He was graduated in 1940 from Beebe Junior College, and received the Bachelor of Arts degree from Hendrix College in 1942.
Following graduation, Dr. Rook served in the Weather Squadron of the United States Air Force from 1942-1946.
He received a Master of Arts degree from Louisiana State University in 1947 and then completed his Ph.D. degree in History from the University of Wisconsin in 1958. His dissertation was in German History. He taught in the Little Rock School System, the Pulaski County School System, and also at UALR.
Dr. Rook joined the faculty of the University of Central Arkansas in 1958 as an assistant professor in History and was made a full professor in 1965.
He was the first Dean of the College of Sciences and Humanities serving from 1969-1975. He was listed in "Who's Who in America" in 1973.
Dr. Rook was a member of the American Historical Association, The Mississippi Valley Historical Association, the Arkansas Historical Association, a charter member of the Faulkner County Historical Society, and a member of Phi Alpha Theta. He was the first director of the University of Central Arkansas Honors Program. He retired in 1993, having completed 35 years of teaching.
In 1947, Dr. Rook was united in marriage with the former Virginia Short, and they celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary May 30, 2002.
Dr. Rook was a member of the First United Methodist Church, having served as an usher, on the Administrative Board, and President of the Men's Bible Class.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Carl Rook and Stanley Rook; two sisters; Ruth Brewer and Jewel Pelligrino.
Dr. Rook is survived by his wife, Virginia Short Rook; one son, Dr. Robert B. Rook and wife, Lynnette; and one daughter, Mrs. Nancy Rook Thacker and husband, Steve, all of Conway; 10 grandchildren, Sam and Julie Phifer, Katie Rook, Carter Rook and Anne Rook, all of Conway, Ashley Phifer of Beaverton, Ore., Robert Thacker, Marcie Caldwell, Taylor and Matt Brown, all of Conway; one nephew, Jerome Pelligrino of Corpus Christi, Texas; and three nieces, Jerry Floyd of Little Rock, Mattie Gaston of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Pat Beyer of Belleview, Wash.; and two loving and dedicated caregivers, Geraldine Perkins and Diane Wright.
Funeral services will be held at First United Methodist Church in Conway, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2002, at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Phil Hathcock, and Dr. Joel Cooper officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery under the direction of Roller-McNutt Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Hal Crafton, Dr. Leo Crafton, Sam Phifer, Carter Rook, Bennie Battles and Bill Short.
Virginia Short Rook passed away Thursday morning, September 17, 2015, at the age of 93. She was born August 29, 1922 in Conway Arkansas to parents Burl Amos and Ona Carter Short.
She attended Conway Public Schools and was graduated in 1939. Salutorian of her class. She graduated from Hendrix College in 1943 with a major in music and awarded the first organ scholarship. She taught school in Brinkley High School 1943-44. Head of the Music Department for the School of the Blind 1944-1947. She married Orville Rook in 1947. They celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary May 30, 2002. Served as organist for Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock, First United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge, LA., Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, First United Methodist Church in Conway and Westminster Presbyterian Church in Madison, WI. She taught private piano lessons in Conway for twenty five years. Was a member of First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, a former member of Conway Orpheus Club, Junior Civic League, Faculty Wives Club of the University of Central Arkansas.
Ms. Rook was preceded in death by her husband Orville Rook; her parents; and 1 great-grandson: Wiley Phifer.
She is survived by 1 son: Dr. Robert B. Rook and wife: Lynnette; 1 daughter: Nancy Thacker and her husband Steve all of Conway, Arkansas; her grandchildren: Sam Phifer and wife Amy Beth, Julie Bedow and husband Daniel, Katie Hahn, Carter Rook, Annie Rook and fiancé Jeremy Deramus, Matthew Brown and wife Katie, Taylor Brown, Ashley Phiferm, Robert Thacker and wife Andrea, Marcie Caldwell and husband Michael.
Great grandchildren are Ellie Phifer, Dawson Brown, Miles Caldwell, Maddie Caldwell, Savannah Bedow and Sarah Thackers.
Funeral service for Ms. Rook was held on Saturday afternoon, September 19, 2015, at First United Methodist Church in Conway, Arkansas.
Parents:
Burl Amos Short (1888 - 1976)
Ona Carter Short (1886 - 1962)
Contributed on 7/28/16 by hawkinsdonna
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Record #: 1150502