David "Dave" Thomas Cook

Dave Cook, age 85, of Lusk passed away on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, at the Niobrara Health and Life Center in Lusk. A memorial service will be held in Lusk at a later date.

Pier Funeral Home in Lusk is in charge of the arrangements.

The Lusk Herald
June 15, 2016

David Thomas Cook was born to John and Madia (Sutherland) Cook December 22, 1930 in Denver, CO. His family moved to St. Joseph, MO, which is where he was raised. He graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1950. Dave then enlisted in the US Air Force and later continued to serve the country through the years by volunteering for the Navy Reserves, National Guard and Air National Guard. During this period of his life he also worked in law enforcement as a State Trooper for Colorado. In these years he married Beverly Dorr, whom he later divorced.

Dave came to Lusk in the 60's, where he met Esther V. Cook when she sold him the coffee Cup Café. This transaction did not last and the business reverted to Esther. However, he and Esther married. He adopted her children from a previous marriage and made Lusk his home.

He served as a Justice of The Peace for the county and later opened the still standing Lusk hang out, The Pub, in 1973. Originally built at the junction of Highways 18 and 85, the business was later moved to its current location downtown. After selling the bar Dave enjoyed working at resorts, where he would leave for a few months of the year to work at The Wigwam in Arizona and Sylvian lake in South Dakota. His later life was spent working for the Niobrara County School district as a bus driver, which was his favorite job as Dave loved local sports and enjoyed kids. Many of his riders dubbed him Mr. Wilson, which was a name he wore with pride and it was a job he was sad to leave when retirement beckoned.

Dave was a Freemason, joining the Boulder Mason Lodge #45 in 1962. He spent many years in the Wyoming Shriner organization and working the parades to raise money for Shriner Hospitals. He was also a lifelong Elks member, serving a few positions including Exalted Ruler of the Lusk Lodge #1797.

Dave passed away May 18th after a brief illness. A memorial service will be held Friday, June 17th at 10 AM, at Pier Funeral Home. Dave was a big fan of the Lusk Tigers, in lieu of flowers a donation to the Niobrara County Booster Club is recommended.

Dave is preceded in death by his parents, wife, grandson (Marcus Cook), and brother (Gerald Cook). He is survived by children Ramona Cook of Texas, Ray Cook of Nebraska, and Tina Crecelius of Florida; six grandchildren; Shawnee Brown of Texas, Skye Cook of Oregon, Max Cook of Nebraska and Michael, Shawnalee and Daniel Crecelius of Florida and a niece, Linda Bermes, of Florida.

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