Craig Allen Cook

Craig Allen Cook, age 69, of Mt. Shasta, California and formerly of Fonda, Iowa - San Jose, California - Denver, Colorado - and San Diego, California, passed away on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at home following a brief illness. A private service, with a military honor guard, for the family will be held at a later date. Craig was born on July 8th, 1947 in Storm Lake, Iowa to Loren and Evelyn (Schroeder) Cook. He attended grade and high school at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Fonda, Iowa where he graduated in 1965. He received his First Holy Communion and was an acolyte and Confirmed at OLGC. He lettered in baseball, basketball, and track at OLGC and was also on the Honor Roll and received awards in Speech, while also a member of the Cedar Leaders 4-H Club. After graduation, he moved to California and attended college at San Mateo until he was drafted into the Army in 1968. After Basic Training and Flight School, he earned the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3 serving with the 74th Aviation Company (Utility Airplane) during two tours of duty in Viet Nam. He received The Army Commendation Medal, The Purple Heart, The Distinguished Flying Cross, and The Bronze Star. Reading an excerpt of the Army Directive for which Craig was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, we clearly realize that Craig was a real hero to many more than just his family. He was Honorably Discharged in October 1971. After his service to his Country, Craig returned to California to complete his education. He earned his BA Degree, and than a Masters Degree from San Jose State while being employed as a Marketing Analyst for the General Electric Nuclear Energy Division in San Jose, California. During this same time, he was married and started a family, and was elected to membership in Beta Gamma Sigma, the national scholastic honorary society for students of business and management. Later, Craig moved to Colorado with his family and worked for Martin Marietta. He later transferred to San Diego and headed up part of the IT Department for Lockheed Martin until his retirement. Craig was a “computer wiz” and designed many computer software programs and custom electronics still in use. Craig enjoyed restoring cars with his favorite being a 1936 Pontiac 3 window coupe. He also enjoyed fishing, research, making custom electronics, traveling, reading and listening to music, especially The Beach Boys. Craig was a truly genuine, loving and caring person to his family and everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed by all of us who knew and loved him. Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Allen Cook of Ageo City, Japan, and his daughter, Andrea Cook of Littleton, Colorado, Elaine Christine Cook his former wife of Littleton, Colorado, his mother Evelyn Cook of Davenport, Iowa, his sisters, Karen (Tim) Peterson of Sun City West, Arizona - Lynn (Denny) Hamilton of Bettendorf, Iowa and Lori (Warren) Hudson of Lookout Mountain, Georgia. Also, his friend Patti O’Brien and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Loren Cook and grandparents Melvin & Olive Cook, and Opal Hughes, Everett Hansen and Roy Schroeder.

Craig Allen Cook

July 8, 1947 - July 26, 2016