Memorial
Timothy Patrick Cook, aka “Cookie,” 63, of Cedar Rapids passed peacefully at home on April 12, 2024 following a long battle with several illnesses.
He was born in Cedar Rapids in 1960 to Joe and Margaret Cook and attended St. Jude’s School before switching to Truman, Taft, and Jefferson High School where he was known for protecting friends from bullies and refusing to let any boys date his sister Janice. He was involved in football and wrestling until being struck by a van in the intersection of Williams Blvd and 10th Avenue while walking home from a practice. Tim was hospitalized for almost one year, but managed to graduate with his class. Though walking with a cane, Tim devoted himself to recovery, including surgeries; with the assistance of Senator Grassley, Tim was accepted in the US Marine Corps in 1978, where he excelled as a sharp shooter and carried out special missions through 1982. He then attended Kirkwood for law enforcement and subsequently worked as a police officer in Belle Plaine. Back in the day he would wear his Santa costume in duty, handing out lumps of coal on Christmas; and if you ever saw Santa on a Harley, that was Tim. Following his service, he worked for Amana Refrigeration and General Mills, where he became a Union Steward.
Tim remained an avid marksman and enjoyed range shooting, hunting, ice fishing, camping. He also bred dogs for several years and had a great attachment to animals. He loved road trips and was an avid foodie, including cooking. Tim will be remembered for his broad sense of humor: he always had jokes and one-liners at the ready (think Norm from Cheers outside of a bar). His memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him.
Tim was preceded in death by his parents Joe and Margaret Cook, many aunts and uncles, and his beloved pets. He is survived by his son Nolan Cook of Cedar Rapids, former wife Anne Carolan of Cedar Rapids and step-son Justin Carolan of Ames, sisters Jennifer Sankot [Paul] of Belle Plaine, Janice Cook-Granroth [Larry] of Iowa City, Jo Cook, several nephews and one niece, his great-aunt Martha Evans of Cedar Rapids, and his snuggly cat Zoey.
A Celebration of Life with Military Honors will be held at Prairie Oak Lodge, Wannatee Park, Marion, Iowa on April 26th at 5:00PM. The family wishes to thank the members of his medical teams for their care and support of Tim during his illness.