Robert E. “Buddy” Cook, 63, of Frankfort, died at 7:33 a.m. on Thursday, September 10, 2026. Buddy was a devoted and beloved Dad, papaw, brother, friend, and talented leather craftsman. He was born on October 17, 1962 in Greenfield, a son of the late Rev. Leon and Margene Sullivan Cook. He spent his life building connections everywhere he went.
Buddy was dedicated to his craft of more than 50 years, leather crafting and shoe repair. Where others saw trash, Buddy saw possibility. Whether it was a rip in a jacket or a 3 inch build up on a shoe, he was going to find a way. Under the teachings of his father he built a lasting legacy that he proudly taught his son. Buddy worked many places but finished his career where it all began, at Cook’s Shoe Repair inside Bob’s Bootery. When Buddy wasn’t working you could find him with his family. If he wasn’t with them he was likely riding motorcycles, fishing, or front porch sitting with his lifelong friend, Fred Vandermark.
Buddy was welcomed home by his mom and dad, brothers, Jim and Danny Cook, sister, Gloria Carson, sister-in-law, Sharon Cook, and bonus son, Jason Kroll.
He is survived by his kids, Robert (Tanya) Cook, Victoria (Jason Allie) Kroll Allie, bonus son, Daniel (Jamie) Glispie; grandkids, Kortney (Jevin) Hauke, Shelby (Hunter) Prince, Rebecca Allie, Brody Cook, Addi Allie, Makayla, Shayna, Matthew, Laela, Ellie, and Frankie Kroll, Alana Eldridge, and Cady Haney; great-grandkids, Bentley, Adlee, and Jagger Hauke; his best friend and mother of his kids, Valerie (Randy) Westfall; mother-in-law #2, Shirley Earick; sister, Debbie Cook; close nephew, Jeremy Cook; many nieces, nephews, and friends. Buddy also leaves behind his church family at Huntington Chapel.
Buddy was a graduate of Huntington High School, and Pickaway Ross Vocational School.
A funeral service for Buddy will be held in the Ebright Funeral Home at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery, Frankfort, with Pastor Bryan Knight officiating. Friends and family are invited to visit with Buddy’s family at the funeral home on Wednesday from 11 a.m. until the time of service.
Full service details and the family guest book are available at Ebright Funeral Home.