Vernon Eugene Cook

Vernon was born November 8, 1931, in Albion, Nebraska, to Custer and Helen Cook and died July 12, 2021, in Shoreline, Washington. He was predeceased by his wife of 54 years Lucy Ann Cook, his parents, and his sister Millicent (Cook) Smith. He is survived by daughter Patricia Cook Graesser, son-in-law Douglas Graesser, grandsons Michael and Kyle Graesser, niece Linda Bowen and nephews Daniel and David Imburgia. Vernon’s family moved in 1933 from Albion to Yakima, Washington, where Vernon attended Broadway School, Yakima High School and Yakima Valley College. After a youth spent picking fruit and working for Yakima Cement, Vernon earned a BS in Civil Engineering from Seattle University. Following graduation, Vernon started work at the Walla Walla District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Then, after 22 months in the Army, he returned to the Corps in Seattle District, where he worked until his retirement in 1988. He worked as a planner, designer and project manager and retired as Chief of Operations. Following retirement from the Corps, Vernon pursued his life-long avocation in real estate investment and obtained a broker’s license. He was active with the Washington Realtors Association as a state director and on the political action committee. Vernon enjoyed action his entire life. He was active in Boy Scouts and earned his Eagle Scout rank. He played football and baseball growing up and continued with softball, golf, skiing and tennis after his school days. He became a licensed deep sea diver and obtained a private pilot license. His support and active interest in politics with a conservative perspective was a given for Vernon. Individual responsibility, generosity and a caring family were his way of life. He and Lucy married in Seattle in 1960 and had their daughter Patricia in 1964. His activities with Lucy included football games (first Huskies then Seahawks as a charter member), Sonics basketball, traveling the world, and all kinds of card games. The two of them always had a game or a trip on the calendar. Once they became grandparents their grandsons became the lights of their lives. Vernon lived the last five years at Aegis of Shoreline where the team members were always pleased to see him and offered him outstanding care and compassion. A celebration of life is scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday, July 22, at Beck’s Tribute Center 405 5th Avenue South, Edmonds, Washington. Those wishing to honor his memory may donate on his behalf to the American Heart Association.