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Paul John Cook, 93, passed away Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at the Goshen Healthcare Community in Torrington.
Paul was born June 13, 1922, in Haskell County, Kan., the son of Arthur Garfield and Bessie Ellen (Alexander) Cook. He grew up on the family farm and ranch in Haskell County. He married Mary Ellen Hunt May 11, 1947. Due to his father’s failing health, he helped to run the family farm until 1949 when he bought a farm in Eads, Colo. Paul farmed until 1954 when some health issues caused him to pursue another livelihood. The family, which by that time included two daughters, Paula and Janie, moved to Garden City, Kan. where Paul worked as a farm implement parts supervisor until 1959. He then moved his family, which now included a son, K. Paul to Craig, Colo. Paul and Mary opened the Coast to Coast hardware store and ran it for two years. They sold the store in 1961 because it was taking so much time away from their growing family, which now included another son, Scott. Paul then worked at Bills Supermarket, which was later sold to City Market. He worked there for 19 years. Paul retired at age 60. During “retirement” he decided to refinish and cane the antique Lincoln rocking chair that Mary had acquired from her grandmother. This ignited a passion for looking for anything which he could repair, refinish, restore to workable condition. Paul was often seen driving his yellow truck to various yard and estate sales looking for “hidden treasures”. He sold many items to auctions and antique stores. Some of his money was used to start college funds for his beloved granddaughters. He also looked for any piece of wood that he could make into plant stands, small tables, etc. which he could sell, as well as give to family and friends. In 2006, Paul survived open-heart surgery at the age of 84. He and his wife then relocated to Torrington to recover close to his daughter, where he remained until the time of his death.
Paul was an avid trout fisherman. He spent many hours enjoying the lakes and rivers of northern Colorado. He loved to read a good Western and he was still a farmer at heart, always growing his large garden.
Survivors include his wife, Mary of 68 years; daughter, Paula (Michael) Murphy of New Bern, N.C.; daughter, Janie Steidley of Torrington; son, K. Paul (Paula) Cook of Seattle, Wash.; son, Scott (Teresa) Cook of Woodstock, Ga.; six “beautiful and smart” granddaughters, Kathryn (Nick) Lasky, Heather Murphy, Sarah (Nathan) Litton, Mary (Morgan) Martinez, Kendehl, Danielle, Cara and Nicole Cook; four great-grandsons, Ethen and James Lasky and Koen and Tyus Martinez; and two sisters, Emma Cook Carroll of Burlington, Colo. and Marie Cook Francis of Murphy, Texas.
Preceding him in death were his parents; three brothers, Russell, Maynard and Arthur Garfield Jr.; and one sister, Ruth Cook Shotton.
© Torrington Telegram July 2, 2015
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