Lt. Col. Larry Gene Cook, decorated officer and pilot for the United States Marine Corps, passed away at his home in Emerald Isle, early in the morning of Nov. 29, 2012, after a hard fought battle with cancer.

He was born on July 17, 1947, in East St. Louis, Ill.

Mr. Cook served in the United States Marine Corps as a pilot and retired in 1995, with 24 years of service to his country. After his Marine Corps service he worked for the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. He was a member of Emerald Isle Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his father, Wayne C. Cook.

Surviving are his mother, Betty J. Cook of Belleville, Ill., his loving wife of 32 years, Elaine P. Cook; three daughters, Kathryn Podgorny and Jennifer Villacis, both of Chicago, Ill., and Kelly Cook of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; two sons-in-law, Robert Podgorny and Ricky Villacis; and four grandchildren, Giovanni, Asher, Lydia, and Zachary. He is also survived by his brother, Gary Cook of San Miguel, Mexico; and his sister, Cathy Grandcolas of Belleville, Ill.

A wake is being held from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday afternoon at Jones Funeral Home in Swansboro. Inurnment will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Coastal Carolina Veterans Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at noon at Emerald Isle Baptist Church with the Rev. Freddie Braswell officiating.