Paul John Cook Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

PAUL JOHN COOK TORRINGTON, Wyoming – Paul John Cook, 93, passed away Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at the Goshen Care Center in Torrington, Wyoming. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 7, at the Colyer Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Daniel Russell officiating. Burial will follow in the Valley View Cemetery in Torrington. Visitation will be Monday from 3-5 PM at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of the Colyer Funeral Home and friends may send their condolences to the family at www.colyerfuneralhome.com . Memorial may be made to the Alzheimer’s Unit at the Goshen Care Center. Paul was born June 13, 1922, in Haskell County, Kansas the son of Arthur Garfield and Bessie Ellen (Alexander) Cook. He grew up on the family farm and ranch in Haskell County. He married Mary Ellen Hunt May 11, 1947. Due to his father’s failing health he helped to run the family farm until 1949 when he bought a farm in Eads, Colorado. Paul farmed until 1954 until when some health issues caused him to pursue another livelihood. The family, which by that time included two daughters, Paula and Janie, to Garden City, Kansas where Paul worked as a farm implement parts supervisor until 1959. He then moved his family, which now included a son K. Paul to Craig, Colorado. Paul and Mary opened the Coast to Coast hardware store and ran it for 2 years. They sold the store in 1961 because it was taking so much time away from their growing family which now included another son Scott. Paul then worked at Bills Supermarket which was later sold to City Market. He worked there for 19 years. Paul retired at age 60. During “retirement” he decided to refinish and cane the antique Lincoln rocking chair that Mary had acquired from her grandmother. This ignited a passion for looking for anything which he could repair, refinish, restore to workable condition. Paul was often seen driving his yellow truck to various yard and estate sales looking for “hidden treasures”. He sold many items to auctions and antique stores. Some of his money was used to start college funds for his beloved granddaughters. He also looked for any piece of wood that he could make into plant stands, small tables, etc. which he could sell, as well as, give to family and friends. In 2006, Paul survived open heart surgery at the age of 84. He and his wife then relocated to Torrington, Wyoming to recover close to his daughter, where he remained until the time of his death. Paul was an avid trout fisherman. He spent many hours enjoying the lakes and rivers of northern Colorado. He loved to read a good western and he was still a farmer at heart, always growing his large garden. Survivors include his wife Mary of 68 years; daughter Paula (Michael) Murphy of New Bern, North Carolina; daughter Janie Steidley of Torrington, Wyoming; son K. Paul (Paula) Cook of Seattle, Washington; son Scott (Teresa) Cook of Woodstock, Georgia; six “beautiful and smart” granddaughters, Kathryn (Nick) Lasky, Heather Murphy, Sarah (Nathan) Litton, Mary (Morgan) Martinez, Kendehl, Danielle, Cara and Nicole Cook; four great grandsons, Ethen and James Lasky and Koen and Tyus Martinez; and two sisters, Emma Cook Carroll of Burlington, Colorado and Marie Cook Francis of Murphy, Texas. Preceding him in death was his parents; three brothers, Russell, Maynard and Arthur Garfield Jr.; and one sister Ruth Cook Shotton.

Paul John Cook

June 13, 1922 - June 30, 2015