John Porter Cook

John Porter Cook was born on October 2, 1924 in Mt. Vernon, Washington, to Myron S. and Virginia (Porter) Cook.  John’s family lived nearby in Stanwood where his father practiced dentistry.  He had an older brother, William (deceased), and has an older sister, Virginia (Gina) who lives in Walla Walla.

After graduating from high school, John attended Washington State College for two years. Before he could complete his college degree, John  joined  the Army Air Corps at age 20 to help the United States win World War II. He served as a first lieutenant and bombardier, flying many successful raids over enemy controlled territory in the European theater.

After John’s discharge at the end of the war, he began working as a surveyor for the U.S. Corps of Engineers in southern Idaho.  This is where he met and married the love of his life, Helen L. (Mason) Wengreen on October 24, 1954. Helen was a widow with four children so John inherited an instant family, which included Sandra (12), Marcia (10), Brian (7), and Scott (5).

To raise this new family, John took an office job with the Corps and moved to Walla Walla, Washington.  Michael Myron Cook was joyfully welcomed into the family on July 18, 1956.

John worked on many of the large dams on the Snake River during his 30 years with the Corps. In his spare time, he enjoyed camping, picnics, boating, and other outdoor activities with the family.  His patience in driving the boat as each of the children (and later, many of the grandchildren) learned to water ski is a cherished memory.

He was a skilled mechanic and craftsman and completed many projects and repairs, making the family home a comfortable place to raise growing and energetic children.

John’s skills grew as he and Helen fulfilled a lifetime dream of building a house on a pine tree covered lakefront lot on Lake Pend Oreille in northern Idaho. They began the project with high hopes and enormous energy in 1976 and completed it, while still full of enthusiasm but maybe a little less energy, in 1979. They eventually made it their full-time residence after retirement. This beautiful home became a mecca for all of their family and many of their friends.  John and Helen’s children and grandchildren often recall the happy days spent there.

When health concerns made change necessary, they returned to live in Walla Walla to be closer to medical services and family members.

During the last decade of his life, John was faced with many medical challenges but always handled these bravely and without complaint.  He was a great example to all of us.  He was dearly loved and will be missed by his sister, Gina, Helen, his wife of nearly 60 years, his five children and their spouses, 13 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 5th at 11:30 AM in the LDS Church, 1821 S. 2nd. Street, Walla Walla.  Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362