Dennison E. "Denny" Cook

Denny was born August 16, 1934 in in Prairie City, OR to William E. and Mary E. (Maddox) Cook, died peacefully on February 23, 2011 from natural causes. Raised and educated in a once thriving lumber town of Bates, OR, he was the oldest of three active children. Denny tolerated the classroom but excelled in all sports and developed natural leadership skills that would serve him successfully throughout his life. He served in critical fighter aircraft maintenance roles for USAF, 36th FBS, The Flying Fiends; Suwon, Korea, Itazuke, Japan and Geiger AFB, Spokane, WA. Pedigreed manager for Les Schwab Tire Centers in John Day, OR and Lewiston, ID, he later owned and operated Denny’s Tire Pile, Missoula, MT until retirement in 2001.

Denny is survived by sister, Verna Weatherly, Highlands Ranch, CO; son, Lynn (Butch!), Kirkland, WA; daughters Dena (Wooten), Meridian, ID; Kelly (Haberman), rural Asotin, WA; Jana (Reynolds), Boise, ID; stepchildren, Jon, Rob, Dan and Cindy of Montana; 8 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, 4 nephews, 1 niece, and devoted wife, Ava of Lolo, MT, who together with family at their table celebrated 25 years of marriage during the week before his passing. He was preceded in death by parents; sister, Dana, and niece, Linda. Our proud father and grandfather, husband, brother, and ardent friend loved people, their lives and stories. He leaves a legacy of service to those whose passion and struggle reminded him of his own growing up in the mountains and prairies of Eastern Oregon.

A memorial is planned for during the bi-annual Bates-Austin Reunion July 22 – 24. In lieu of flowers, the family sincerely requests you contribute to construction of the new state park near the old Bates township site: Friends of Bates State Park, P.O. Box 115, Prairie City, OR 98869 (http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/PLANS/planning_bates.shtml).