Vern Franklin Cook

Frank Cook November 8, 1938 ~ June 1, 2012 Frank Cook was born November 8, 1938, at Tonasket, WA to Vern and Bertha Cook, the fourth of five children. He left this earthly world to wait for Jesus June 1, 2012. Frank spent his childhood working on the farm and in high school at Nelson's Green House, Tonasket. He attended school in Tonasket, all but the second grade, which he walked to and attended the "Lehmanowsky School" in Pine Creek. In 1956, Frank moved to Wyoming. He started his music career in the American Legion club in Lander, WY, playing the big stand-up base and singing as a duo with an excellent piano player. In December, 1958, Frank came back to Washington State, settling in Wenatchee. He went to work playing the electric bass at Monitor Inn Tavern in May 1959, with Elson Burns. At the same time, he began his career as a hod-carrier, then as a brick layer and stone mason. He worked both careers simultaneously for many years. From 1965 through 1971, Frank worked the Kiltie Room in the Columbia Hotel, downtown Wenatchee. The band worked six nights a week, storm or shine, holidays and all, for six years. The new era began - "Frank Cook and the Night Raiders". Jimmy Cook replaced Jerry Coots as drummer in that time. Also in the 1970's, Frank spread his wings into the contracting business, doing brick and block work. In 1973, he moved to the Okanogan country, where he met the love of his life, wife, Dianne. Frank and Dianne returned to Wenatchee in December of 1974. Frank was Business Agent for the Bricklayers Union for many years and, for a short time, the Musician Union as well. In 1975, the Knight Riders 4-H Club was born and for ten years was the focal point of the Cook's "recreation" time. Kids and horses were what they did. In 1983, Frank was a founding member of the Chelan chapter of M.A.D.D. In the '90's, Frank spent some time as a Home Inspector and had a lawn care business, "Mr. Green Thumb". He was a member of Beehive Grange, the Eastmont Community Church and had a growing love for the Valley View Seventh Day Adventist Church. Frank had a passion for growing things and has transformed his little place on Squilchuck Creek from the original homestead's barnyard into a beautiful oasis of trees, flowers and green grass. He loved sitting by the creek, dreaming and planning. Frank was an avid horseman and for several years raised, showed and trained Paint Horses with Dianne. Frank was preceded in death by his mother and father. Survivors are his wife and soul-mate, Dianne; and his daughters, Kelley (Sam) Rose of Scottsbluff, NE, Sheri (Rob) Harrison of East Wenatchee, Sheli Kane of Cashmere and Staci (Neil) Schuster of Seabeck. Included in his life are special daughters of the heart, Jennifer (William) King of New Plymouth, ID and Janara Mallonee of Boise, ID; his sisters, Donna (Schreck) Schreckengast of Okanogan, Louise Weller of Auburn and Esther Caton of Tonasket; and brother, Ed Cook of Spokane. Frank is also survived six grandchildren; seven special grandchildren; as well as three great-grandchildren. A Memorial will be held Monday, June 25, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. at the Valley View Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 1120 10th Street, N.E., East Wenatchee, with Pastor Jim Anderson officiating. Interment will be held at 12:00 Noon at the Pine Creek Cemetery in Tonasket, following a Graveside Service conducted by nephew, Lloyd Caton, with lunch to follow.

Vern Franklin Cook

November 8, 1938 - June 1, 2012