Cook, Jeff
Jeff Cook passed away at his home in Bozeman on Aug. 23, 2011, after living with cancer for several months. He faced cancer with great courage and optimism and made the most of each day, despite his illness.
Jeff was born Sep. 21, 1955, in Bryn Mawr, Pa., to Thomas and Constance (Schwettman) Cook. He grew up in the suburban Philadelphia area with his two brothers, Thomas and Mark, and all three participated in high school and college athletics. Jeff and Mark played on a college soccer team together as well as the tennis team, with Tom as tennis coach.
Jeff graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., and attended Eastern College in St. David's, Pa., to pursue a business degree. Soon after, he married and moved to Bozeman, where he remained throughout his life. He worked as a chef in Bozeman and Big Sky and later worked for himself as a painter, but his passion was always the outdoors. He completed five Bridger Ridge Runs, several marathons and a triathlon and was an avid bow and rifle hunter, hiker and backpacker.
He is survived by his parents, Thomas and Constance Cook of Melbourne, Fla., his brother, Thomas Cook of Broomall, Pa., brother, Mark Cook of Granville, Ohio, and former wife, Meg Cook of Bozeman.
A private family service will be held in Pennsylvania.
His parents were quoted as saying, "Beloved son, now you are free to hike in Heaven with God."
Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. www.dokkennelson.com.
Published in Bozeman Daily Chronicle on August 28, 2011