Jeffrey Mark Cook, 42, of Boston and formerly of Austin, Minn., died Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011, at Kileleshwa, Nairobi, Kenya, Africa.

Jeff was born Oct. 2, 1969, in Austin, to parents, Joseph and Sharon and joined his three siblings, Christopher Scott Cook, Gregory John Cook and Deborah Lynn Cook. He graduated from Hernando High School in Hernando, Miss., in 1988 and went on to attend Ole Miss University in Mississippi and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in Amherst, Mass. Jeff was a humanitarian. He enjoyed playing percussion, listening to music, was an avid reader, enjoyed golf, tennis, the Minnesota Vikings, the Boston Red Sox, the L.A. Lakers, Ole Miss football and rugby. Jeff was the founder of the Phoenix Group and a missionary for Church World Service. He was in the Army Special Forces and served during the Gulf War/Desert Storm.

Survivors include his mother, Sharon Dawn Hunter of Burnsville, Minn., and formerly of Austin; father, Joe L. Cook of Wayland, Mass., and formerly of Austin; brothers, Chris Cook and wife, Peggy of Roseville, Minn., Greg Cook and wife, Jayleen of Glenville, Minn.; sister, Deborah Cook and husband, Brian Hagan of Austin; nieces, Larissa Cook and Danielle Cook of Glenville; many additional extended family members and true friends.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011, at Mayer Funeral Home with Pastor Dave Johnson and Deacon John Kluczny officiating. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at Mayer Funeral Home on Saturday. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post 91, VFW Post 1216, and DAV Chapter 27 .

The honorary casket bearers will be Karen Foglesong, Mark Gardner, Kevin Houston, Garry Morrow, Neecie Brasher Presley and Yust Lundberg. The casket bearers will be Chris Cook, Greg Cook, Deborah Cook, Peter Cook, Mike Williamson, and Brian Hagan.

Thank you to the following individuals and groups of people: Garry Morrow for introducing Jeff to Church World Service in Kenya, Africa, where Jeff spent the most rewarding seven months of his adult life — Garry and Jeff were the truest of friends; Church World Service for recognizing and embracing Jeff’s carefree spirit while gently guiding him along the most amazing journey of his life; Mark Adiedo from Church World Service for ensuring Jeff was so well taken care of on his journey home from Africa; the U.S. Embassy in Africa and the U.S. Embassy in New York for their guidance, support, and most importantly their combined efforts to return Jeff’s personal items to his family; the Austin Area Veteran’s Organizations for honoring Jeff and his dedication to our nation; Jeff’s Facebook friends for the continued posting of messages, stories and photos honoring and celebrating his life.