May 23, 1957 ~ Nov. 17, 2022
Michael Cook passed away Nov. 17, 2022, at Pioneers Medical Center in Meeker, Colorado, from complications of ALS. Born May 23, 1957, to Kenneth James (Jim) and Leota Laura (Jaeger) Cook in Brush, Colorado, the family later moved to Meeker when Jim and Leota purchased the Meeker Herald which they owned for 32 years. Mike and his siblings all had jobs at the paper, and he learned at an early age the thrill of pursuing an emergency vehicle for a photo opportunity.
Graduating from Meeker High School with the Class of 1975, Mike moved to Golden, Colorado, where he worked in the printing business and attended classes, eventually returning to Meeker and working at the Meeker Herald. He and his father started the Rifle Tribune in Rifle, Colorado, during the ‘80s energy boom which they operated until a few years after “Black Sunday” in 1982 when Exxon pulled the plug on its Colony Oil Shale Project near Parachute, Colorado, shortly thereafter he and his future wife Lisa moved to Tucson, Arizona.
Mike and Lisa (Barley) Cook were married in Tucson in 1985 where the couple resided until 1988 when they returned to Meeker to work at the Meeker Herald, eventually purchasing the newspaper and print shop, then selling the newspaper a few years later. The couple operated the print shop Cook & Company until 2004 when Mike went to work for Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office as a dispatcher. During the years of owning his own business Mike pursued his passion for emergencies by joining the Meeker Volunteer Fire and Rescue, later becoming an EMT.
Mike and Lisa enjoyed 37 years of marriage, they have two sons Zachary and Nicholas. Mike treasured the time he spent with his family in the great outdoors camping and fishing, especially when it included his grandchildren who affectionately knew him as Papa.
He was predeceased by his father Jim Cook and brother Tommy Cook. Survivors include his mother Leota Cook; wife Lisa; sons Zachary Cook, Nicholas and his wife Lindsey Cook; four grandchildren, David, Michael, Aubree and Kinslee Cook; brothers Richard James (Jimmy) Cook and wife Debbie of Meeker, Kim Cook and wife Alana of Bennett, Colorado; sister Mary Cook Jessup and husband Ted of New Castle, Colorado; a host of nieces and nephews and his beloved dog Bandit.
“Caring for Your Fellow Man is the Greatest Gift You Can Give” and Mike did just that. A celebration of his life is planned for late spring. Memorial contributions may be made to Hope West-Meeker; VFW Post #5843 or the Meeker Band Program all in care of Grant Mortuary, Craig, Colorado.
