E. Dean Cook, of Walsh, passed away March 22, 2016, at the Southeast Colorado Hospital LTCC. He was 90.

Funeral services were held March 26, 2016, at 10:00 A.M. at the United Methodist Church in Walsh. Interment was in the Walsh Cemetery.

Donations in memory of Dean may be made to the Walsh Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 206, Walsh, CO 81090.

Dean Cook chose to make a living being a dryland farmer in Baca County Colorado. He was always optimistic that the next crop would be a good one, and he felt blessed that the Good Lord gave him the opportunity to try to make a living here.
Many times during Dean's life when a neighbor needed help to bear their load, he along with all the other neighbors would pull out of their field to go harvest or plant a crop to help get them through their tough times. He knew if you lived in Baca County, it was your unwritten duty to forego your pursuit of happiness to help a neighbor in their time of need.
In 1926, Robert Goddard fired the first liquid fueled rocket and anti-freeze for automobiles was invented which allowed cars to be driven year around. And on February 28, Dean Cook was born to Scottie Bell and Earnest Elmer.
In 1936, FDR was re-elected in a landslide. The dustbowl problems continued in the mid-west, and Dean Cook and his best buddy Eugene Dillon entered the fifth grade. They played baseball at every opportunity and dreamed of someday playing in the major leagues.
In 1947, Harry S. Truman was the U.S. President. Gandhi was assassinated in New Delhi and Dean Cook attended a dance at the Half Moon barn a half mile north of Springfield, CO, where he met the love his life, Betty Joan Lusk. Although Dean had a professional baseball contract in hand, he chose to start a family and his lifelong career of farming in Baca County.
In 1958, bread was 19 cents a loaf and gasoline was 30 cents a gallon and "I Love Lucy" was the most popular show on TV. Dean and Betty didn't have a TV but their family had expanded to include 3 boys, Ernie, Larrell and Alan. Dean and Boyd had joined forces to start raising, training and racing Thorough-bred Race Horses. In their eyes, every new colt was going to be the next Kentucky Derby winner!
In 1968, North Vietnam launched the Tet Offensive. Martin Lu-ther King and Robert Kennedy were assassinated. Dean and Betty's time was split supporting Ernie at Panhandle State, and Larrell and Alan in their activities at the high school and junior high at Walsh.
On September 14, 1969, the draft lottery to support the U.S. effort in Vietnam was reinstated. A large glass jar that held 366 blue plastic balls containing every possible birth date and effecting all men ages 18-26 years old was placed on a table at the Pentagon and each number was drawn and recorded. Ernie's birthday is June 8th. It was the 366th ball drawn. Larrell drew a sigh of relief for Ernie but knew in exactly one year, his fate would be determined by the same system. Dean was extremely relieved for his son because he had five brothers Leland, Boyd, Clyde, Roland and Neil who were called to serve in WWII and knew the trauma that haunted them for years after those war experi-ences. Dean had taken his military physical and was set to leave for the war effort the next day when the war was officially ended.
In 1978, "How Deep Was Your Love" by the Bee Gees was the num-ber 1 song and the most repeated phrase on TV was "Za Plane, Za Plane" by Herb Vellichaze. Dean and Betty now had two daughters-in-law, Peggy and Beth, and two grandsons, Clete and Dustin.
In 1988, Ronald Reagan was President and CD's outsold vinyl records for the first time. Dean and Betty celebrated 40 years of marriage and now have three more grandsons, Brant, Jaron and Zac, and their only granddaughter Amber. Betty completed her third year as a Mary Kay Consultant and Dean wholeheartedly supported her as she co-chaired writing the Baca County History Book.
In 1998, India and Pakistan conducted their first underground nuclear tests and on August 10th, Dean and Betty celebrated their 50th anniversary at the Walsh Senior Center.
In 2008, the U.S. was in the Iraq War and the Stock Market plunged. Dean and Betty's family tree now included three great-grandchildren.
In 2016, the United States opened relations with Cuba and the Denver Broncos won the Super Bowl. Dean was ecstatic and wore his Bronco "World Championship" t-shirt with great pride. He was worried that Peyton Manning would retire. Dean and Betty now have a total of 16 great-grandchildren. On March 22, Dean passed away at the Springfield LTC Cottage at the age of 90.
Dean's personality and demeanor were greatly altered at times by the many medications he was given to relieve the depression and pain of final phases of his battle with congestive heart failure. The family (especially Betty, Al and Docia) would like to recognize and applaud the efforts of the Walsh Ambulance Service, the health care staff at Elkhart and especially the staff at the hospital and LTC Cottage in Springfield. And especially to Kelly Lusk who was always there for Dean and became Betty's "Bed and Breakfast," her chauffer and answered her every beck and call. Your golden chair in heaven awaits you.