Columbia - Albert Cook was born June 17, 1930 in Red Bluff, AL to Willie and Chloe Bell (Meeks) Cook. He passed away on September 27, 2015 in Columbia, SC at the age of 85.

Albert was one of nine children, where he often would say, "You sure had to reach fast for the biscuits before they were gone." Albert worked many jobs growing up in Alabama. As a young boy he picked cotton for a penny a pound and even shined shoes on the streets of Montgomery. As a young man Albert worked at a saw mill driving trucks, forks lifts and straddle trucks. In May 1953 Albert was drafted into the Army and started his career at Fort Jackson, SC. In 1958 Albert was reassigned to the 14th Armored Cavalry in Fulda, West Germany. While in Germany, Albert met his wife of 57 years, Anna Bartl, originally from Czechoslovakia, working at the Post Exchange selling Juicy Fruit chewing gum. In 1961 Albert was assigned back to Fort Jackson, SC where, except for two remote assignments, he remained until his retirement from active duty in December 1973. The first assignment, in 1964, was to the Republic of Korea for one year, and the second was in 1968 to Vietnam where he split his time between the American Division and the Regional Force and Popular Forces, as a military advisor. After active duty, Albert continued to serve the Army, this time in the Civil Service as a Small Arms Repairman, until his second retirement in 1992. Albert was known to say "Throughout my life I have met some nice people around the world, but by far some of the nicest people I know are right here in Columbia and Fort Jackson."

Albert was a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church, the SC Combat Veterans Group, Disabled Veterans, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. His Army decorations included Combat Infantryman's Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster with valor, Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), National Defense Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 device, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.

Albert is survived by his wife, Anna; their son, Dennis and his wife Donna; two grandsons, Parker and Blaine; great grandson Rex, of Irmo, SC; and their son Gary and his wife Christy; and two granddaughters, Emily and Haley of Monument, CO. He is also survived by two brothers, Howard of Chicago, IL, and Fred of Milton, FL. He was preceded in death by two sisters; four brothers; and son, Ronald, who died as an infant.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 1st at 11 o'clock at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Columbia, with the Rev. Msgr. Richard Harris officiating. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 5 until 7 o'clock, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Exn., Columbia. Donations can be made in Albert's name to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 3600 Devine St, Columbia, SC 29205; or to the SC Combat Veterans Group.