Howard Cook

Howard Lee Cook was born in Billings, MT on October 5, 1956 to Phyllis and Ed Johnson.  He later spend his childhood in and around Denver, CO and later moving to Grand Junction, CO.  Howard passed away on November 14, 2015, after a long but courageous battle with lung cancer.

Howard met the love of his life, DeAnna Cook (Cautrell) in 1979 and they were married on March 8, 1980.  Howard became dad to DeAnna's daughter, Jennifer Cautrell and he raised her as if she was his own.  They began their own family in 1981 with the birth of Paul Cook and in 1982 with the birth of Chris Cook.

The family spent their early years living in Craig, CO where Howard worked as a union ironworker for Local 24, working on the numerous power plants in the area.  He later helped to build the interstate through Glenwood Canyon when that project began in the early 1980's.  In 1987, Howard and the family moved to Los Angeles where he worked on many iconic projects.

The family moved back to Grand Junction in 1992 and settled in Palisade.  They began teaching their kids about hunting, fishing, and camping and about having a good time without the need to spend a lot of money.  They spent many weekends on Grand Mesa, up at High Tower, and at Silver Jack Reservoir.  Even though going through Chemo and on oxygen, Howard took two more trips up to the hunting area during second season to share that last time hunting with his boys and grandkids.

Howard was preceded in death by his wife DeAnna in 2011 and his daughter Jennifer in 2013.  Howard is survived by his son's Paul and Melissa Cook and Chris and Crystal Cook.  He is also survived by his seven grandchildren Jeremiah, Justice, Eric, Jason, Shelby, Daisy May, and Shooter.  Also surviving is his parents Phyllis and Ed Johnson, two brothers Philip and Ellery Johnson, and two sisters, Carolyn Johnson and Tina Maclaren all of Billings MT.

Private family services are planned for a later date.  Memorial contributions in Howard's name can be made to Hope West of Colorado.