Bruce Cook, passed away on August 5, 2024, in Meridian, Idaho, at the age of 84. He was born on March 29, 1940, in Bellingham, Washington, to his loving parents, Issac Cook and Thelma Curry.
Bruce was a dedicated family man and is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Helen Cook, and by his sons Scott Cook and Brad Cook, along with their respective wives Selena and Yolanda.
Bruce's commitment to education and learning was evident throughout his life. He graduated from Washington State University setting the foundation for his successful career as a high school teacher and wrestling coach at Meadowdale High School in Lynnwood, Washington for 30 years.
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Issac Cook and Thelma Curry, as well as his brothers Bryce and Lloyd Cook.
In honoring Bruce's wishes there will be no service. The Cook family would like to express our gratitude to the many students, athletes, and parents that help support Bruce over the years in the classroom and on the mat. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/nationalwrestlinghalloffameandmuseum
Obituary from The Skagit Valley Herald and Legacy.com
Mr. Cook had an interesting effect on my life. First, he was my wrestling coach, and I got a lot from that. Loved his personal insults, while practicing! For example, "Steele, you may be small, but you're slow!" (So appropriate!) Or one he used on everybody, "You might be able to beat my Grandma, but she's old!" (If anyone remembers others, I would really like to see them!)
But, to be honest, his biggest contribution to my life was as my typing teacher! I took typing in my senior year cuz I wanted to meet more girls! And, since the wrestling coach was teaching, it would be an easy course, right? Well, the "girls" thing didn't work out. And the "easy" teacher? Coach Cook had NO PROBLEM giving a finger thwack to one of his wrestlers when he caught him looking at the keyboard! I actually learned how to type! (Again, slow.) But that turned out to be a capability I would use for the rest of my life! It got me out of some nasty duty in the Navy (lots of sea stories, here), made me a favorite in college (turned in typewritten papers), and served me at work as a programmer. And now: Master Keyboard Warrior in retirement. Thank you, Mister Cook!
Interesting comments Jerry. I student taught with Mr. Cook in 1973 at MHS. What a great man and great teacher/mentor. I heard some of those "Cookisms" also. I remember in high school, Coach Cook would always tell me, Pat, I could make a heckuva wrestler out of you if you will just give up the round ball (basketball). No way I was getting sweaty with all those guys and then rolling around a soft mat . . . no way! As it turned out, Coach Hull needed me to show Dick Horch how to play defense and be a good example for "Shots" Horch! (That's still funny Dick)! Mr Cook was a treasure!
I was in my 2nd year as the Assistant Athletic Director for the Edmonds School District. Mr Wilson, the AD, was out of state at a National AD's conference. It was one of those 12 hour Saturdays and I was tasked with running the Edmonds Invitational Wrestling Tournament. Like up until then, I had only seen Mr Wilson run those things and I was simply an assistant. One ot the wrestlers found me in the gym and said I had to get to the locker room right away, Coach Cook and Coach Hess were about to get into a big fight (they were both Wrestling Hall Of Fame wrestlers AND coaches.) I took off running for the locker room and only got about half way up the long hall at Old Edmonds HS when I saw the two coaches with their fingers in each others chests and screaming at each other. "Whoa you two" and I thought I was gonna loose my breakfast. I asked what was so wrong and why is this happening? One of the two of them wanted to disqualify the others wrestler from the tournament for some reason I can't remember (I'm old now.) What I do remember was there were kids watching this and one of the 2 coaches got in my face saying, "what are you going to do about it?" I thought for a brief second and quickly remembered, I was always in education and coaching for one reason, THE KIDS! I looked at the two coaches squarely in the face and said, "what's best for kids?" Suddenly they were both laughing. I remember one of them, I think coach Cook, saying..."We were only testing you. You passed!" Phew, I passed another Cook test and I'll always remember that day. Both those great men are passed now and I will forever cherish their memories. RIP Coach Cook!
I am sorry to hear that Mr.Cook past away. He was a very good teacher and a great wresting coach. He would work us hard at wresting pratice and made us find that little bit of extra innerstringth you needed to move on. He also would make that same move in the classroom to find out the next step in one's growth. I personally used a lot of his wresting moves in my hand to hand combat training in the USMC and in Vietnam to survive. I personally hope that his family knows that Mr.Cook sent a lot of young students out into the world on the right footing. Mr Cook will be missed and I will keep him in my thoughts. Charles Austin
Bruce Cook was my Accounting teacher for 2 years. my Business Law teacher and I was his teachers assistant.
I learned to love bookkeeping from him and he was a great mentor. I often think of the fun we had in his class and how he had a hard time getting mad at our little back room corner because we were getting A's in his class. In my Senior year winter quarter I was ill with Bronchitis and he allowed a friend to take my practice test because I needed to go home, my friend got a B with her set and I received an A with my answers, something I will always remember.
During our teacher assistance class Lori and I would go to Albertson and get donuts to sell at lunch. I learned a lot from him, but he let us have fun too. I have great memories of him as a teacher.
Diane Pruitt (I have done bookkeeping for our various business for 50 years and still work part time with our business;my daugher and her husband are taking over in Centralia)
Jerry Steele
Mr. Cook had an interesting effect on my life. First, he was my wrestling coach, and I got a lot from that. Loved his personal insults, while practicing! For example, "Steele, you may be small, but you're slow!" (So appropriate!) Or one he used on everybody, "You might be able to beat my Grandma, but she's old!" (If anyone remembers others, I would really like to see them!)
But, to be honest, his biggest contribution to my life was as my typing teacher! I took typing in my senior year cuz I wanted to meet more girls! And, since the wrestling coach was teaching, it would be an easy course, right? Well, the "girls" thing didn't work out. And the "easy" teacher? Coach Cook had NO PROBLEM giving a finger thwack to one of his wrestlers when he caught him looking at the keyboard! I actually learned how to type! (Again, slow.) But that turned out to be a capability I would use for the rest of my life! It got me out of some nasty duty in the Navy (lots of sea stories, here), made me a favorite in college (turned in typewritten papers), and served me at work as a programmer. And now: Master Keyboard Warrior in retirement. Thank you, Mister Cook!
Pat Echelbarger ('66)
Interesting comments Jerry. I student taught with Mr. Cook in 1973 at MHS. What a great man and great teacher/mentor. I heard some of those "Cookisms" also. I remember in high school, Coach Cook would always tell me, Pat, I could make a heckuva wrestler out of you if you will just give up the round ball (basketball). No way I was getting sweaty with all those guys and then rolling around a soft mat . . . no way! As it turned out, Coach Hull needed me to show Dick Horch how to play defense and be a good example for "Shots" Horch! (That's still funny Dick)! Mr Cook was a treasure!
Michael Clemans (66)
I was in my 2nd year as the Assistant Athletic Director for the Edmonds School District. Mr Wilson, the AD, was out of state at a National AD's conference. It was one of those 12 hour Saturdays and I was tasked with running the Edmonds Invitational Wrestling Tournament. Like up until then, I had only seen Mr Wilson run those things and I was simply an assistant. One ot the wrestlers found me in the gym and said I had to get to the locker room right away, Coach Cook and Coach Hess were about to get into a big fight (they were both Wrestling Hall Of Fame wrestlers AND coaches.) I took off running for the locker room and only got about half way up the long hall at Old Edmonds HS when I saw the two coaches with their fingers in each others chests and screaming at each other. "Whoa you two" and I thought I was gonna loose my breakfast. I asked what was so wrong and why is this happening? One of the two of them wanted to disqualify the others wrestler from the tournament for some reason I can't remember (I'm old now.) What I do remember was there were kids watching this and one of the 2 coaches got in my face saying, "what are you going to do about it?" I thought for a brief second and quickly remembered, I was always in education and coaching for one reason, THE KIDS! I looked at the two coaches squarely in the face and said, "what's best for kids?" Suddenly they were both laughing. I remember one of them, I think coach Cook, saying..."We were only testing you. You passed!" Phew, I passed another Cook test and I'll always remember that day. Both those great men are passed now and I will forever cherish their memories. RIP Coach Cook!
Chuck Austin
I am sorry to hear that Mr.Cook past away. He was a very good teacher and a great wresting coach. He would work us hard at wresting pratice and made us find that little bit of extra innerstringth you needed to move on. He also would make that same move in the classroom to find out the next step in one's growth. I personally used a lot of his wresting moves in my hand to hand combat training in the USMC and in Vietnam to survive. I personally hope that his family knows that Mr.Cook sent a lot of young students out into the world on the right footing. Mr Cook will be missed and I will keep him in my thoughts. Charles Austin
Diane M Anderson (Pruitt)
Bruce Cook was my Accounting teacher for 2 years. my Business Law teacher and I was his teachers assistant.
I learned to love bookkeeping from him and he was a great mentor. I often think of the fun we had in his class and how he had a hard time getting mad at our little back room corner because we were getting A's in his class. In my Senior year winter quarter I was ill with Bronchitis and he allowed a friend to take my practice test because I needed to go home, my friend got a B with her set and I received an A with my answers, something I will always remember.
During our teacher assistance class Lori and I would go to Albertson and get donuts to sell at lunch. I learned a lot from him, but he let us have fun too. I have great memories of him as a teacher.
Diane Pruitt (I have done bookkeeping for our various business for 50 years and still work part time with our business;my daugher and her husband are taking over in Centralia)