Mike Cook

Mike Cook took his last breath on January 02, 2016 at 11:25 PM.  Diagnosed in December of 2014 with two primary cancers both in stage IV and already having metastasized, Mike's cancer was an uphill battle.  For thirteen months, he made his own time; and despite the sweat and tears, he filled every moment with love.  Even though that love was so rich that it could have filled the next thirty years-and even though he breathed his last, beautiful and peaceful, breath in the presence of his whole family, Mike died too soon for comfort and consolation.

But as Mike would say: shit happens.

On November 30, 1951, Michael William Cook was born to Warren Thomas and Pauline Evelyn Cook in Sacramento, California.  The son of a WWII veteran, the United States military ran through Mike's veins, and he found his home in the Marine Corps:  It was his gateway to college at the University of Utah, which he graduated from in 1973 with a degree in Political Science.  It gave him countless friends, "any fellow Marine," he would say.  And it gave him permission (he thought) to talk smack on the other branches of the military.  Through the Corps, his childhood dreams were realized before he was even thirty years old-he went from playing tanks in his sandbox with his brother Dennis to cruising on Naval destroyers all over the planet, from California to Lebanon, from North Carolina to Japan.

The only force strong enough to lure Mike out of the military was his wife-a woman, he insisted, that God himself told him to marry: Colleen Kay Alder.  After one too many trips away from Colleen, Mike retired from the armed forces; but not before earning the Pistol Expert Badge (4th Award), the Rifle Expert Badge (3rd Award), the National Defense Medal, and the rank of Captain.

Back into civilian life, Mike grew and provided for his family.  He spent a total of 15 years in the aerospace industry, and continued to increase his expansive knowledge of all things manual and mechanical, regardless of the field in which he found himself.  Whether it was selling fences and security systems, beekeeping, handy-manning, or at his final and favorite occupation working at the Home Depot, Mike turned any task into a good time, and his positive mentality rubbed off on his coworkers.

In addition to Mike's positive attitude and unfiltered sense of humor, which bled into every interaction, Mike lived an altogether unapologetic life.  He never failed to express himself or to stand up for what he believed in, and he happily offended anyone who dared enter a conversation with him-whether it be with a joke or an honest rebuke.  

As equally uncompromising as Mike's blunt persona was his love for his wife, children, and Savior.  He cherished his wife above everything on earth.  For his children, he would repair their cars, mend their home(s), and give them chocolate cake whenever he had the chance. He would display his love for his son by inundating him with Republican rhetoric. He would display his love for his daughters by putting the fear of God into any man who had the courage to pursue one of them.  But his love for his Savior is what guided his life.  His faith was original and rock solid.  "I know where I am going," he often said.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents and his brother.  A treasured coworker, a beloved father, and a damn-good lover, Mike lives on today in his family: aunt, Jean Church; aunt, Ellen Wilson; sister-in-law, Randee Cook; nephew, Collin Cook (Mary); daughter, Heather Allred (Jack); daughter, Shannon Wilcox (Ryan); daughter, Andreea Cook; son, Michael Warren Cook; and angelic wife, Colleen Cook.

Mike will rest at Utah Veterans Memorial Cemetery.  Before his family lays him beneath the snow in his favorite season, come celebrate his life:  The celebration/services will be held from 10:45 AM to 12:30 PM on Friday, January 8, 2015 at Calvary Chapel, 460 Century Drive, Salt Lake City.  In lieu of flowers, Mike requests that you donate to your local V.A, and do what you can to keep Democrats out of public office.