Ardale Cook

Ardale Louis Cook of St. Clair Shores died Monday, June 15, 2020, at home. He was 91.

Mr. Cook was born Aug. 15, 1928, in Detroit to Frank Malcolm Cook and Violet Katherine (nee Rice) Cook. He was the youngest of four children.Mr. Cook grew up on the east side of Detroit, graduated from Southeastern High School and earned an associates' degree from Wayne State University. He served in the Army from 1950 to 1952 as a staff sergeant at a Virginia base. He married Harriet Rachel Burger in 1954, and they raised three children in St. Clair Shores. Mr. Cook worked at Checker Cab Co., located across Trumbull Avenue from Tiger Stadium in Detroit, for over 40 years as a cab owner and manager, and corporate executive. His father was a founding member of Checker Cab in the 1920s.

Ardale, who retired in the early 1990s, loved ballroom dancing and Big Band music, and was a fixture at area dances and concerts during his retirement. He also drove a cab for about 10 years and worked as an usher, notably at Comerica Park for six years during retirement. He was an avid fan of old movies and Tigers baseball. He attended the 1934 and 1968 World Series'.

He attended Trinity Episcopal Church in St. Clair Shores. He also resided in Eastpointe, Harrison Township and Mount Clemens. He was predeceased by Harriet Rachel in 2002 and his three siblings, Milan, June and Beverly. He is survived by his daughter, Dawn (Danny) Peterson of Alvin, Texas, and sons Jameson of St. Clair Shores and Sean (Dianne) of West Bloomfield Township; four grandchildren, Melissa, Noah, Jade and Deborah; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A caring cremation was entrusted to Walter Scott Skupny Funeral Home, 28605 Gratiot, Roseville. Please share memories with the family at their "On-Line Tribute Wall" at skupnyfuneralhome.com.  A burial service will be held on Friday June 26, 2020 at 11:00 AM Cadillac Memorial Gardens East cemetery in Clinton Township.