Michael J. Cook

Michael J. Cook, 61, passed away Dec. 25th. Born September 17th 1944 in Pendleton, Oregon to Charles and Mary Earnheart Cook. He lived his early life on his Grandfathers Ranch in Pendleton, Oregon. His Grand parents Cordie and Ottwell Earnheart were early pioneers in Pendleton. He moved to Vernonia in his Junior year of High School. He spent his life working in Medical research. When mike was still in School we spent two years in Lake Zurick Ill. In 1980 we built a log home to be near Mike's parents. It was built the old fashion way, we peeled the logs and notched them, chinked them and did it all. Mike was our leader in everything. He taught the kids how to peel the logs for the house. They all helped to build it. He taught them all to trap and hunt. When they were in school they made all their spending money running trap lines. He always took the time to work with them, and show them the right way to do the task. He taught all the Grandchildren the importance of working. He loved his family above all else. He is survived by his wife of forty years, Caroline at home in Vernonia. He has four Children. Douglas on the East Coast. David and his Shari and Michael and his Lezlie of Vernonia and Donna of Chinook, Montana. 11 Grand children and many that adopted him as a Grandfather over the years. 3 Brothers, Richard of Vancouver, Wash., Charles of South Bend Wash. and Scott of Crescent City Ca. 1 Sister. Helens Panza of Milwaukie, Oregon, She should have been a Comedian. He has one very dear Aunt, Sarah Burch of Walla Wall Washington. My brother Tom Wilson of Forest Grove, Oregon was a very Dear and special person to Mike. Mike had a wonderful humor and was so delighted at the humor his Grandchildren developed. Mike was 11 years younger than the last of his older brothers. Each of them thought they raised him. They were all very special to him. His oldest brother Dick was stationed in the Antarctica in the service, when Mike was a little boy. He sent Mike a feather and told him it was a Penguin feather. Mike took it to show and tell and kept it as special. When he was grown his brother admitted he pulled the feather from his pillow. They have laughed about it for years. He has a niece, Cordie Riddle of Astoria. She has always been special to him because she could make him laugh. I was so lucky to have Mike for 40 years. We had so much fun Antiquing. I could buy a whole Estate and call Mike to come and help me load. He never said how much did it cost. He always said What did you get. He always had that much trust in me. One of his true loves in the last number of years was his Christmas tree farm. He spent every free day he had working in his trees. He took great pride in his trees. He always said "what a happy business" every one is happy when buying a Christmas tree. Off and on he hired his Grandchildren to help. At his request he will be cremated and there will be no Service. He had a strong belief in God, so he is at peace. Please make all rememberances to the Mist-Berkinfeld fire department.

Michael J. Cook

September 17, 1944 - December 25, 2005