Michael Cook

Colonel Michael R. Cook, US Army (Retired)

Michael Roderick Cook passed away at his home in Pensacola Beach, Florida on March 13, 2025, surrounded by his family. Mike was born in Aurora, Illinois to Edward Dominic Cook Jr. and Laura Dene Kohler on July 9, 1941. Shortly after, the family moved to Sikeston, Missouri, where Mike spent his childhood and adolescence. He graduated from Sikeston High School in 1959 and attended Southeast Missouri State College in Cape Girardeau on a mathematics scholarship. In 1960, he entered the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated in 1964 and was commissioned as a Field Artillery officer.

It was during West Point’s graduation “June Week” that he met and fell in love with Christine Smith, the sister of his classmate, George Smith. Mike and Chrissy, as he affectionately called her, were married June 19, 1965. Mike’s duties as an Army officer soon took him to Vietnam, where he served with distinction and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroism and received the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in combat. Following that tour, they were stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where their son Mike Jr. was born. Mike then attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, where he earned a master’s degree in mathematics. It was during this time that their daughter, Stephanie, was born. After completing his degree, he had a follow-on assignment to teach mathematics at West Point.

The Army life afforded the family many moves and assignments; the most notable included: Tehran, Iran, where Mike served as aide-de-camp to the commanding general of the Military Assistance Advisory Group; Sögel, Germany, where he commanded the 552nd Field Artillery Group; and Fort Myer, Virginia, where he served as post commander until his retirement in 1992.

Mike continued serving in Civil Service, teaching installation management at the Army Management Staff College at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. In 1998, Mike and Chrissy moved to Pensacola Beach, Florida. Mike initially volunteered as an arbitrator at the Better Business Bureau of Northwest Florida and was subsequently hired to develop the Advertising Review Program. In addition to his work with the BBB, he volunteered in many capacities, including as a trustee of the Pensacola Beach Community Church, treasurer of the Pensacola Military Officers Association, finance officer of Chapter 566 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and was an Escambia County Court Mediator. He was also active in the Pensacola Beach Krewe of Wrecks, being honored one year as the Captain (King) of the Krewe.

Some of Mike’s pursuits included brewing beer (and sharing these brews with his friends), playing trivia (a life-long Jeopardy! fan), excelling at bridge, and playing cribbage, which he enjoyed with his daughter and grandchildren. He always played to win, so inciting his protégés to rise to his level. He was an avid sports fan, a love he shared with his children, especially his son, Mike Jr. He was most devoted to his favorite teams – the St. Louis Cardinals, the Dallas Cowboys (there’s always next year), and the Army Black Knights.

Mike was most beloved for his quick wit and dry sense of humor (irreverent, but never mean), born from his unbounded intelligence. His subtlety was key, his timing impeccable – if you paid attention, you would be rewarded with a good chuckle (or perhaps a belly-laugh). His signature wit endured, communicated through a sly look, an ever-so-slight roll of the eye, or simply a twinkle.

Mike was preceded in death by his sister, Liz Ciancone; brother, Edward Cook; niece, Laura Cook; and brother-in-law, George Smith. He is survived by his wife, Chrissy; son, Mike Jr.; daughter, Stephanie; daughter-in-law, Sheila; son-in-law, Titus; grandchildren, Jared and Emma; nephews, Mark, Peter, and Ed; sister-in-law, Sherry; and nieces, Saundra and Stacey.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held on Friday, April 4, 2025, at 2:00pm at the Pensacola Beach Community Church. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and Pensacola Beach Community Church.

"And when our work is done, our course on earth is run, may it be said, “Well done; be thou at peace.”                                             West Point Alma Mater