Central States Industrial

Born in 1937, Jim Cook grew up on a farm in McGirk, MO, and joined the United States Marine Corps immediately following high school. He learned machine tool skills while studying for his role as an airplane mechanic at Pensacola Naval Air Station and Marine Corps Air Station Tustin, in California. In 1956, Jim married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Stevenson.

After four years, including one year in Asia, Jim left the Marine Corps, and he and Shirley settled in Kansas City, MO. Jim worked in several machine shops—often working two jobs to make ends meet for his family of five. He then went to work as a project engineer at Chesebrough Ponds in Jefferson City, MO, where he later led their staff of maintenance mechanics. During that time, Jim had articles published in trade magazines and spoke at industry conferences on leadership and maintenance best practices.

Jim and Shirley started Central States Industrial in Jefferson City, MO, in 1977. In 1984, they moved the company to Springfield to be closer to much of the sanitary process installation work they were doing. Jim continued to lead his family and his business to honor the Lord, and there are many incredible stories about God blessing this business. While Jim was never loud or overbearing, people knew where he stood.

Jim retired in 1999, passing the baton to his eldest son Mark. But Jim still loved to spend time at “the shop,” and people there loved to see him and visit with him.

In August 2014, Jim passed from this life to the next, but his vision for CSI still lives on. His by-words, “Do what you've said you’ll do,” and “Finish jobs,” are still quoted at CSI.