Carroll Cookson

Carroll Odus Cookson passed away May 1, 2023, at the age of 88 years, 4 months, and 5 days.

He was born Dec. 26, 1934, in Puxico, the son of Cecil Odus “Jack” and Edna Bell Hicks Cookson.

Preceding him in death are his parents; wife, Rozelle Cookson; brothers, sister, and spouses, J.T. (Phyllis) Cookson, Ancel (Doris) Cookson, Rena Mable (Quentin) Ridenour; and nephew, Joey Cookson.

He is survived by his son, the Honorable Stephen Cookson; daughters, Lesa (Jon) Murray and Lorie (Don) Grossheider; brother and sister-in-law, Ronnie (Dee) Cookson; sister-in-law, Mary Lyn Joyner; grandchildren, Tyler (Molly) Cookson, Kyle (Amber) Murray, Katie (Philip) Klaproth and Clint Daniel Pogue; step-grandchildren, Abby (Cyle) Huck and Neal (Kori) Grossheider; great-grandchildren, Teagan and Ava Murray, Cooper, Milo and Josey Klaproth, Clayton, Levi, Clarey, and Liam Huck and Eleanor Grossheider; nieces and nephews, Karen (Roger) Brown, Janell Hill, Jeff (Debbie) Cliff and Julie Ridenour, Jay (Carrie) Cookson, Brad (Christie) Cookson, Bruce (Karen) Underwood, Gary (Marie) Underwood, and Linda Jorgenson.

Carroll married Rozelle Daniel, the love of his life, Dec. 1, 1956. She preceded him in death by three weeks. In true form he was not going to let her too far out of his sight, and he went chasing after her to be reunited again in heaven.

He was a member of the Asherville Church of Christ.

Carroll, most people called him coach, dedicated his life to education. He learned early in his life a love for the sport of basketball. He played high school basketball under legendary coach, Arnold Ryan at Puxico. He was a member of two state championships teams during his time in high school: 1951 and 1952. After high school he grew from 5’7 to 6’2 and continued playing basketball on independent basketball teams. At the age of 28 and being married with three small children, an opportunity arose for a full scholarship to play basketball at Southern Baptist College in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. So, with younger brother, Ronnie in tow, Carroll and Ronnie completed two years of college and then were offered additional full scholarships to play basketball at University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas. Carroll was named Mr. Basketball his senior year.

Carroll coached in Arkansas and Missouri and accumulated an impressive record of success. Which includes state championships in 1972 and 1975, a state runner-up in 1973, and a fourth-place finish in 1974, at Advance High School in Advance, Missouri. Seven sectional championships and many district championships. Throughout his years of coaching, he received regional, district and conference coach of the year many times. His career record was 524-128. He was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. He had received additional honors from both Advance and Puxico Schools. He is also one of the few to have won two state championships as both a player and a coach.

Carroll was also an administrator at several area schools including Advance, East Carter, Twin Rivers, and Zalma Schools.

Carroll always had a passion for basketball, but his family came first. He delighted in watching all the success his children and grandchildren achieved. He has touched many lives in his lifetime and will have made an impact on them, that will last their lifetime.

The family would like to thank: Barry Aycock, Dave and Connie Thompson, Carol Bulford, Kay Smith, John and Gail Rhodes, Jim and Carolyn Bowling, Donald and Sandy Rhodes, Terri Wiseman West and family, Carl Hefner, Denise Griffin, Randy McWilson, Morgan Funeral Home, VaShawn’s Flower Box, Joy Cookson, Tammy Blocker, Julie Gipson, Crown Hospice, Dennis and Sandy Wheetley, Otis and Ann Lewis, Fayette Moss, Rhonda Hancock, Asherville Church of Christ, Puxico Church of Christ, Brown General Baptist Church, the caring community of Shady Brook Mobile Home Park, Monty and Missy Montgomery, Delta South Skilled Nursing and Rehab Center, and all of their many friends and extended family.

Visitation will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, May 5, 2023, at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance, Missouri. A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 6, 2023, at the Advance High School Gymnasium in Advance, Missouri (doors will open at 2 p.m.), with Pastor John Rhodes officiating. Interment will follow at Brown General Baptist Church Cemetery, north of Puxico on County Road 275.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.