Aug. 3, 1928 – Nov. 7, 2012

NATCHEZ — Services for George Fincher Cook, 84, of West Monroe, La., formerly of Natchez, who died Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary Basilica with the Rev. David O’Connor officiating.

Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.

Mr. Cook was born Aug. 3, 1928, in Shreveport, La., the son of Thomas Cook and Nobel Fincher Cook. He was raised in Farmersville, Texas. After graduating in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration degree from the University of Texas at Austin, he came to Natchez and worked as an oil accountant for Dorris Ballew, Inc. for 14 years until Mr. Ballew’s death. He then worked for Dave Vassar Drilling and later for Barnett Serio Oil. In later years, he became an independent oil operator until retiring and moving to West Monroe.

Mr. Cook was a devoted member of St. Mary Basilica and a fourth degree Knight of Columbus.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Thomas Cook Jr.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Anne DiStefano Cook; brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Smith of Natchez; brother-in-law, Vernon M. Duffey of Monroe; sister-in-law, Freda DiStefano of Natchez; and a number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Pallbearers will be Bill Arey, Kenneth O’Cain, Alan Grissett, Bill Mardis, Mac Mardis, Mikey Mardis, Derek Smith and Jason Favalora.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be sent to St. Mary Basilica or St. Mary Basilica Family Life Center, P.O. Box 1044, Natchez, MS 39121.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.