Life Sketch of Virgil Franklin Cook - Part Four

     

     His daughter-in-law, Monica will always remember Frank for is love and his acceptance of her.  He loved her as if she was his daughter and treated her as such.

     Frank was so very proud of his grandsons, Dustin, Braydon, and Andrew.  He loved them with all of his heart.  He mentioned to people many times how precious they were to him. This Christmas, knowing that he didn’t have much time left, he gave each one a very special book called Making Memories.  In each book he wrote a special message to each one telling of his love for them and that no matter what happened, he would always be with them.

     Besides his family, Frank also loved Steven’s dog, Eshva.  Eshva would set at Frank’s feet and was very protective of Frank.  Since Eshva is mostly wolf, Frank wondered if Eshva would howl at the moon.  One night Frank put it to the test.  Frank started howling and sure enough Eshva joined right in.  They became quite the duet and would sing and sing together.  Every time one of the families would go to the house, they would beg Frank and Eshva to sing for them because it was so funny.
     When Frank was in ICU at St Al's in Boise (he was there for a month) Eshva had sat on the sofa and looked out the window watching for Frank and Ilene.  Finally Steven called them and asked if his dad would visit with Eshva. So Frank started howling and Eshva was howling too. All the Doctors, Nurses an aids came running thinking that something was wrong with Frank. 

     Frank had an unconditional love for each of his boys.  Even though Frank was not always happy with the choices they made, he never gave up on them and always had faith and confidence that they would one day return.  Each made their own choices, but because of the example and love their parents have shown to them, they have returned.

Craig Richard Cook

David Virgil Cook

Steven Leon Cook

     During this time Frank’s mother became critically ill.  Even though it was so very hard for him to make the trip to Rexburg, with the help of his wonderful wife, he went to Rexburg to be with his family there.  His mother rallied for awhile but then in November, when Frank was really having a hard time, his mother passed away.  It didn’t look like Frank would be able to attend the funeral in Menan, but once again, his wonderful wife and son, Steven, helped him and they traveled to attend the funeral.  Frank had to spend the time in a wheel chair but he was there for his mother.

David, Ilene, Craig, Frank and Steven 1999

Frank and Ilene

     Monday, 31 January 2000, Frank seemed to be having one of his good days. He spent a lot of the day out shopping with Ilene and Steven.  He walked into the house from shopping and seemed to trip.  Ilene and Steven helped him into a chair.  Frank had quit breathing but they were able to get him to rally round.  Ilene called the doctor and Frank was even able to talk to the doctor.  He suggested that they take Frank to the hospital which they did.  Frank got progressively worse.  Finally after a very valiant fight, Frank went to be with his eternal family who were waiting for him on the other side.

     If any of us would ask Frank today, “Frank, how are you doing?”  Frank would reply, “I am doing superbly well.”

    

     Frank, you are missed by all.  Some day we will meet again and I will be able to tell you what a magnificent brother you are and what a great influence you have had on my life.  I love you more than words can even begin to express and wish I had told you more just how much you mean to me.  I love you, Frank.  

Life Sketch of Virgil Franklin Cook - Part Three

     

Frank and Ilene

     Frank loved to sing and sang for many years with the Magichords chapter of the SPEBSQSA and for the last few years with the quartet “Snake River Transfer.”  Through his singing Frank, once again demonstrated his love and compassion for his family.  Two years ago, Max, Frank’s brother-in-law, was killed in a terrible accident.  Previously Frank had borrowed some umpire gear from Max for a number the quartet was singing.  Our family came over not long after the accident to the Magichords’ fall show.  After the show at the afterglow, Frank’s quartet sang and dedicated their numbers to Max’s memory.  They sang “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” and “God Be with You Till We Meet Again.”  There was not a dry eye in the house.

    

Snake River Transfers-Frank is on the far left

     Frank’s Christ like love as also shown in the love and care that he gave Ilene’s mother during the time that she lived with them and needed constant care.  He patiently and willing gave his time and love to her.

     Frank was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather.  He always showed the greatest of love and respect for Schatz.  You could literally see the love and compassion he had for her.  Because of his great example, his sons have carried over the same traditions.  He always enjoyed attending any sport or other events that his family was in.  They all knew that Frank would be there cheering them all no matter what.  Even when Frank was so ill, he still attended Braydon’s last flag football game and went up to Hailey to Dustin and Levi’s soccer games.  He wasn’t always able to get out of the car, but he was there to cheer his grandsons on.  They will always have so many wonderful memories of him.

    

Frank and Craig in Road Show

     Every year the second Sunday of December the Utah State Choir travels to Sun Valley for two weeks.  There they are no longer the Utah Sate Choir but are called the Sun Valley Carolers.  As part of their stay in Sun Valley, they combine with the Hailey 1^st and 2^nd ward and present the Sacrament Meeting program.  It is a tradition for the rest of the family to travel to Sun Valley to spend this time with Craig and his family.  Well this year, Frank was pretty sick.  Ilene told him that they wouldn't be able to make the trip.  Frank insisted that they were going to make the trip because it meant so much to him to be able to spend this special time with Craig and LaShell.  Ilene relented; they made the trip and spent a wonderful time with them.  Frank was able to once again show his great love for Craig.

    

Frank in Boise

     David recalls how his dad would always drive down the middle of the road after a snow storm.  He would just drive down the center and splash all the slush out of the middle of the road.  David couldn't figure out what Frank was doing this for.  So one time David asked Frank why he was driving down the middle of the road.  Frank told him that if you would spread the snow out across the roads it would melt faster and then he wouldn't have to drive on icy roads.  So now when you see David driving down the center of the road, you’ll know why.  He learned it from his Dad.  David also recalls when they were in the process of moving to a new home.  He was quite young and found a set of keys on the floor.  He picked them up and stuck one of them into an electrical outlet.  David was literally knocked backwards.  Frank came running kicked the keys out of the outlet, immediately picked David up and lovingly said, “Oh, I am so sorry.”  Not a cross word or you should have known better, only love and concern for his young son.

    

Frank and his brothers, Theron, Kay and Darrell

     The very first memory of Steven’s life is when the family lived over on Washington.  The house had a large bay window that was only about a foot and a half off of the floor that Steven could look out of.  He would always go to that window and wave to Frank when he left for work.  Frank would back out, stop and wave, drive a little ways and stop and wave again.  Then would wave as he drove off down the street.  Steven would always watch for his Dad to come home too.  Sometimes Craig and David would tease him and say “Dad’s home, Dad’s home.”  Steven would run to the window but Frank wouldn't be there.  Steven would leave the window crying.

Frank and his mother, Ruth Elizabeth Proctor Cook

    Steven also remembers his dad’s interest in everything that he attempted to do.  When Steven was wrestling, Frank learned all he could about the sport and worked with Steven at home on the various moves.  He was always there for his sons.  The boys all took up skiing so Frank decided that he would too, even though he had a really bad knee.  One time up at Soldier Mountain, Steven decided that he wanted a great jump picture.  So he found the perfect spot and asked Frank to stay at the bottom and get this wonderful picture.  Steven didn’t notice that the jump had a lip on it that went straight up in the air.  Steven got ready to go and called down to ask Frank if he was ready.  Frank was messing with the camera and signaling with his arms.  Steven thought that was the sign that he was ready.  Off he went but instead of going like he thought he should, he went straight up in the air feet up.  Down he came and bounced about three times before he started rolling.  Skis, goggles, and gloves were strewn everywhere.  After Steven could finally get his breath, he asked his dad if he had gotten it all on film.  Frank told him, “No I didn’t.  That’s why I was signaling to you not to go.”  Steven decided that he wasn’t going to go through all that pain and not have a picture of it, so up he went again only to do the very same thing again, but this time Frank got the picture.

Frank and Ilene, Theron and Cindy, Lois and Mark, Kay and Carla
at David's Wedding Aug 1991

Life Sketch of Virgil Franklin Cook - Part two

Frank, 1975

    Frank always loved sports of any kind.  He may not have been tall but he made up for that in determination and hustle.  Frank was real competitive and always gave his all for the team.  He would rather take an injury than let the other team get an edge.  One time while playing second base Frank was determined to stay on the bag and make the tag as a much bigger opponent came sliding into the bag.  Frank stood his ground and took the hit.  No one remembers whether the other player was safe or out but Frank was out the rest of the season with a broken leg.

     Frank attended elementary school in Menan, Rigby Jr. High, and graduated from Rigby High School.  From there he attended two years at Ricks College prior to going on a mission.  At that time young men were required to be 20 before they could go on missions.  So at age 20, he turned in his papers for a mission.  Everyone was so excited when Frank got his call.  He would be spending the next 2 and a half years in Germany, the home of his Great Grandpa and Grandma Buchmiller.

    

High School Graduation Picture

Frank while serving in Germany

 

Mission Picture

     

     After serving his mission, Frank attended BYU and graduated with a degree in German and history.  Frank was an excellent student and was on the dean’s list every year.  He added to his education by taking correspondence classes from LaSalle earning a degree in accounting.

     Frank was a true blue cougar fan.  Notice that his family has picked out BYU blue for him this day.  Frank hardly ever missed a BYU game. If he couldn’t get it on TV, he would go out in the car or back in the bedroom and listen to the game.  Everyone in the house knew how that game was going by how loud Frank was cheering or how loud he was yelling at the referees.  Because of his love of BYU and Germany every year for Christmas Ilene always ordered something for Frank that was from Germany and something from BYU.  Sometimes the other side of Frank would come out at sporting events.  There were times at David’s ball games that Ilene and Steven would get up and go sit in the car because Frank was yelling so loud at the way the game was being officiated.  However there was one game that David recalls where Frank didn’t hassle the umpire at all.  David was a senior and playing in a baseball game in Idaho Falls.  David came up to bat and since he likes to look at the first pitch, he let one go by that was right down the pipe.  The ump called, “Ball one.”  The other coach came unglued.  David couldn’t believe his ears either.  He turned to look at the ump.  And much to his surprise he discovered it was his Uncle Max behind the plate who had his finger to his lip saying, “Shhh.”  Yes that was one game Frank didn’t yell at the ump. 

      While attending BYU, Frank met a beautiful young lady by the name of Ilene Richards on a blind date to the Prom.  While they were dancing, Ilene noticed that no one was dancing close to them.  She thought that was quite rude of them.  Suddenly a friend came over to them and said they needed to help Ilene a little.  She was in a beautiful prom dress that had a hoop underskirt.  The hoop had come apart and was sticking straight out, swishing around so that no one could get near to them.  They pulled the hoop out and Frank stuck it in one of his sleeves and out the other so that his arms stuck out just like a scarecrow.  What a great time they had.  But this was only one of many great times that they would have.  

Florence Ilene Richards

     Five months later they were married.  On September 19, 1963, they were sealed for time and eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple.  Frank had a special name for his bride.  He called her Schatz, translated Little Treasure.  He truly did treasure her too.  They lived in American Fork so that Frank could finish his education at the Y.

     Frank’s first job was at J.C. Pennys on Main Street in Salt Lake.  On the way home from his graduation at the Y, Ilene’s mother mentioned that J.C. Pennys was look for a manager.  Frank pulled into the parking lot, went in, applied for the job and was hired.  Thus ended his career as a German History Professor.

     On 8 March 1965 their first son was born, Craig Richard Cook.  When Craig was born, Frank and Ilene were living in Kearnes in Ilene’s mother’s home while she was in California.  She came home to help with the baby.  When he was 10 days old, Ilene’s mother told Frank and Ilene to go to bed and she would watch Craig.  They heard one cry and that was all.  They hurried out of bed and found Craig had stopped breathing.  Ilene tried to get help on the phone but couldn't seem to get anyone.  Frank took off running barefoot through the snow to the first station that was a block away to get help.  They hurried back and got Craig breathing again and then rushed him to the hospital.

Frank, Ilene and Craig

     From Ilene’s mother’s home, they moved up on the Avenues.  Here they were very close to the Temple and used to take the baby and go to Temple Square quite frequently.  While living here, Frank was transferred from the down town store to one in Medvale.  So Frank and Ilene moved to Midvale.  It was here that their second son was born, David Virgil Cook, on 23 January 1967.  David weighed 9 ½ pounds.  He was bigger as a baby than Craig was at two years old. 

Craig, Frank, and David

Frank was transferred to the J.C. Penny store in Twin Falls, Idaho.  So in 1969 they moved to Twin.  One night Frank didn't come home from work when he should have.  Ilene got more and more worried.  She finally called Dave, another manager.  He told Ilene that Frank had probably gone over to the church to play basketball or something.  Ilene told him that Frank would never do that without calling her.  He said to give Frank fifteen more minutes and then to call him and he would go and find Frank.  Frank didn't show up so Dave went to the store and found Frank and another worker locked in the bathroom.  Someone had held up the store and locked them in the bathroom.

     Their third son, Steven Leon Cook, was born 10 April 1972.  During Ilene’s labor, Frank kept disappearing.  She would look all around and he would be gone.  She looked out the window and could see the car in the parking lot so she knew that he hadn’t left.  There was another couple in the next room and he would see Ilene looking around for Frank. He asked her if she had lost Frank again.  She replied that she had.  He told her that Frank as asleep in the waiting room.  She would send him to get Frank just to go through the scenario again.  You see, Steven was born in the middle of the night after a long Sunday at Church meetings.

Steven, Ilene, Frank, David, and Craig

     When Pennys started staying open on Sundays, Frank knew that he would need to find a new job.  He had the conviction that working on Sunday was just not the right thing to do.  So he found a new job with Greater Idaho.  He later went to work for Coca-Cola as an accountant for 13 years, Charmac Trailer for three years and for the past 8 years for MarCon Construction in Nampa.