50 Things I Learned from Mr. Cook

Editor’s Note: John Cook, an iconic figure in the pest management industry, touched thousands of lives through his personal philanthropy and inspired leadership of Cook’s Pest Control during a career that spanned nearly six decades. The industry mourned his passing earlier this year when Cook lost his battle with pancreatic cancer, but his legacy lives on through the example he set at First Bible Church of Decatur, Campus Crusade for Christ, Decatur Heritage Christian Academy, and as CEO of Cook’s Pest Control. Joey Harris, a pallbearer at Cook’s funeral, recently wrote the following article chronicling the many ways this legendary industry figure touched his life and continues to inspire others even in death.

I first met Mr. Cook in June, 1988. I can still remember the day I visited him in Decatur. At that time, I was living in Memphis and our first day together lasted well over eight hours. During that initial meeting, I found him to be a very special man. Since that meeting and after working with him for more than 20 years as an employee, team member, church family member, church leader and friend, my love and respect for him never stopped growing. Over the years, people have told me they wished they had the opportunity to work closely with Mr. Cook. I understand, and consider the time as a great blessing, as do others who’ve known him, many even long-er than me. If you were around him, you learned many great life lessons. I’ve tried to capture some of the things he taught me and here’s a list of 50. Remember, however, that he didn’t just sit down and tell me these things. He taught us the best way: by example.

1. Your reputation is your #1 asset. It has tremendous value; however, you can’t put a price on it. A good reputation is priceless.
2. When someone tells you “no” it probably means that you didn’t do a good enough job explaining yourself. “No’ doesn’t always mean “no.” Don’t give up.
3. People are valuable. It doesn’t matter what job, position or office they hold. Everyone has value and should be treated with respect and appreciation.
4. Hard work never killed anyone. In fact, it may add years to your life.  
5. Each day you wake is a gift from God. Don’t waste it. He must have something for you to do.
6. You learn more about leadership from a person’s example than from a book.
7. If you know something that’s worth more than millions of dollars, something that’s all-powerful, eternal and life changing, you should tell as many people about it as possible. Don’t worry about what they think. You are trying to help them receive a priceless gift.
7. Never complain. Even when you’re in pain and dying, never complain.
8. Petting a dog makes you feel good. Everyone should have access to a dog.
10. You can accomplish a whole lot more with kindness and respect compared to threats and reliance on a job title.
11. Love your wife. Real men are not afraid of or intimidated by a close association and reliance on their wife. Plus, they are not afraid to tell others about it.
12. You can get a whole lot more done if you’re organized.
13. There’s no such thing as quality service. Quality can’t be compartmentalized. It must be implemented in every aspect of a business — in buildings, vehicles, equipment, training, and literature. In fact, there can be no distinction between a quality business and a quality life.
14. Serve your country. Serve your community.
15. If you see something that needs to be fixed, don’t wait for someone else to do it.
16. Your relationship with God doesn’t change on Sunday at noon. He’s with you 24 hours a day, seven days a week and should affect everything you do. There’s ministry in your work.
17. When people praise you, don’t take them seriously.
18. Think big. Be a visionary. You’ll be surprised at what you can accomplish. It all starts with a vision.
19. Banana pudding is listed as a vegetable on the menu at Bogue’s Restaurant in Birmingham, Ala.

20. If you can help someone, do so. Don’t expect anything in return. Avoid publicizing your charitable contributions.
21. Write your thoughts down on paper. Keep a “things-to-do” list handy, even at your bedside. How many times have you had a good thought or plan that’s forgotten before you wrote it down?
22. Have written goals. Don’t just “know” the importance of goal setting, actually do it.
23. There’s nothing wrong with having fun. In fact, it should be a priority as long as the job gets done. Work should be fun.
24. Don’t waste time watching television.
25. People first. Then everything else will take care of itself.
26. If you work hard, do your best and do what’s right, you’ll sleep well at night.
27. Fine food doesn’t have to be expensive. Consider the Frosty.
28. You can’t be excellent at one thing. Excellence applies to everything you do.
29. Smile every time you have the chance.
30. True enjoyment comes when you help others enjoy themselves.
31. There’s nothing wrong with going to Alvin’s Island when you’re at the beach. You know you want to, so go in and shop around. (Editor’s note: Alvin’s Island is a chain of stores serving the Gulf Coast that sells beach wear and souvenirs.)
32. Don’t sit still. Keep moving.
33. Have a plan, but remember plans can change (for example, parents pass away; the career you’ve studied for doesn’t materialize.) However, if you have an eternal focus, you’ll make the most of it.
34. If you see something you really want, go for it.
35. You don’t have to be a financial genius in order to make good financial decisions. Successful money management comes from discipline and “common sense” decisions.
36. Enjoy people — all kinds of people. Most people want to talk. Help them by beginning the conversation.
37. Don’t grow old. Surround yourself with people of all ages. Choose a Sunday school class where everyone else is younger; even if it’s by 50 years or more.

38. Never lose your childhood enthusiasm. Continue to be amazed, especially with God’s love and creation. His touch is evident in every living thing, even a Bradford pear tree.
39. Never stop dreaming, planning and working. Even when you’re 84, have a list of things you’d still like to see completed.
40. Practice the old saying, “If you can’t say something good about someone, don’t say anything at all.” However, try your best to think of and say something good about as many people as possible.
41. When you go to a restaurant, never order the same thing as your wife. Then, you’ll be able to share and enjoy two different entrees.
42. Be hospitable. God gave you your home for a reason. Don’t be selfish. Use it to serve others.
43. You can have “character” and still be a “character.”
44. There’s nothing prettier than a white car or truck.
45. Most people know what to do. What most people lack is the everyday discipline to do it.
46. Remember, there are important people that live on the other side of the world. You can make a local and worldwide impact. Your sphere of influence can be worldwide.
47. If you have an idea or something that you believe in and someone says, “that won’t work.” Don’t believe him.
48. Poke fun at yourself.
49. If a dying man, in excruciating pain, can get up and go to church, even though he’s been thousands of times, I have no excuse not to do so — even when I’m tired.
50. Two people working together can accomplish a whole lot more than one. That’s God’s design for marriage. Run things by your spouse. You’ll gain a different and valuable perspective that you might have missed.
That’s 50. There are many more. Mr. Cook left us a legacy of excellence. He trained us well — not by lecture, but by demonstrating that life could be lived in a victorious, God-glorifying manner.

*****

Remembering
John Cook
John Cook died on Feb. 27, at his home in Decatur, Ala, of pancreatic cancer. He was 84. Cook was remembered as a philanthropist, nationally acclaimed businessman, and longtime owner of Cook’s Pest Control. (To read more about Cook visit www.pctonline.com/JohnCook). Cook was respected throughout the pest management industry for his personal integrity and giving nature. Here’s just a sampling of some of the sentiments expressed by his industry peers.

“Mr. Cook was a very special person. He has been such a wonderful mentor for all of his employees and a good steward in the communities in which he lived and had business operations. Mr. Cook had a servant’s heart and always worked for the good of others. A person of strong Christian principles and values, he humbly served his Lord, family and community. He will be missed by all that knew him.” — Jim Aycock, President and CEO of Cook's Pest Control

“We are all saddened by the loss of John, a very brave person who was ready for this day. The word ‘icon’ is often used too freely, but not in John’s case. I had the distinct pleasure to serve with John on the NPMA (then NPCA) Executive Board when he was president in 1973-74. John was the ultimate soft-spoken gentleman. He was able to win the day with his integrity, manner and sincere care for people. ” — Terminix’s Norm Goldenberg, a former NPMA president

“I met John Cook at a pest control conference on a cold January day in 1974 at the University of Illinois. He reached out to me (that day) in a way that made me feel totally accepted. He continued to give me words of encouragement and friendship through the years. He was truly a point of light in our industry. I will miss him.” — Jay Nixon, president, American Pest Management, former NPMA president

“John Cook was a classy gentleman who quietly built one of the best and biggest companies in the history of our industry. I had the privilege of spending time with him and his staff a few years ago. Everything we saw was extremely impressive as they gave us a detailed tour of their operation and different offices. It was apparent that the professionalism and impact of Mr. Cook cascaded across the company.” — Greg Clendenin, former CEO, Middleton Pest Control

“I had the pleasure to meet John when I first started at the NPCA. I traveled with him and others in the industry to England and then after that to an NPCA meeting in Canada many years ago. I saw the wheels turning when he saw what Rentokil was doing with video training and he implemented that into his company. John was truly a pioneer in IPM and training to say nothing of the immense impression and respect the people who have met him have for his personage and ideals.” — Industry consultant and PCT columnist George Rambo

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The author is vice president of sales and service for Cook’s Pest Control, Decatur, Ala. He can be contacted at jharris@giemedia.com