Murel "Jack" Cook, 85, of Niota, died Sunday, April 18, 2010, at Life Care Center of Athens.

A native of Roane County, and a resident of McMinn County for most of his life, he was a son of the late Temer and Minnie Roarke Cook. He was a retired lineman from TVA and also worked for the McMinn County Sheriff's Department. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Nevida Umphrey Cook, on Oct. 2, 2008; one son, Ricky Lee Cook, on May 13, 2009; one daughter, Marilyn Jeanette West, on Jan. 17, 2007; one brother, Edward Cook; and one grandson, Nathaniel Cook.

Survivors include three sons and three daughters-in-law, Roger Dale and Joyce Cook, Larry Dean and Vickie Cook, Danny Cook and Sharon Cook, all of Niota; one daughter and son-in-law, Janet Gail and Allen Galyon of Niota; one brother and sister-in-law, James and Joanne Cook of Etowah; one sister and brother-in-law, Ferrell and Gene Cooper of Niota; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Union McMinn Baptist Church with the Rev. Ronnie Cook and the Rev. Doug Alexander officiating. The body will lie in-state from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the church. Burial will follow in Union-McMinn Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Kenneth West, Joe Cook, Chris Cochran, Eric Cook, Lee Cook and Joe Farris. Honorary pallbearers will be Dewayne Pitcock, Casey Brown and Chris Strickland.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.