Jeffrey Collin Cook

Jeffrey Collin Cook, 42, passed away of natural causes on Christmas morning, December 25, 2024, in Duluth, Georgia, surrounded by loved ones who were happy to be with him for the holidays. He was born on the easiest birthday to remember – 2/22/82 – in Denver, Colorado to JC and Sandi Cook. On December 17, 2005, Jeff married his high school sweetheart, Keeley Maria Root, who preceded him in death earlier this year.

Jeff was the seventh of eight children and consequently had plenty of siblings to look after and love him. He grew up in Centennial, Colorado and was proud of his status as a Colorado Native. He graduated from Cherry Creek High School in 2000. Jeff found belonging as a member of the marching band and color guard, which is how he and Keeley first crossed paths. Once married, they made their home in Aurora. He always bragged that of all the children in the family, he was the only one to leave the nest and never return. 

Jeff’s social life defined his high school years. Keeley and some other friends once flirtatiously kidnapped his beloved Beanie Babies and held them for a high ransom. He did pay up, and the experience likely grew his love for both Keeley and all fur animals. Another time, he and a friend tried their hand at making some home-made rappelling and climbing gear. Too afraid to find out how well the worked themselves, they lured Jeff’s younger brother to the roof and made him rappel down the chimney. All were pleased to find out it worked good enough. He also recently confessed that when he was younger, he would purposefully use the electric powered lawn mower to run over and cut up the extension cord, probably so he could get out of mowing the lawn and spend more time with his friends.

After high school, Jeff briefly served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Maracaibo, Venezuela, but soon felt redirected to serve his country. Upon returning home, he enlisted in the Army National Guard and he never looked back. By the time he retired from active military duty in August 2023, he was a Sergeant First Class (E-7) and had served three deployments abroad to Iraq (2004-2005, 2007-2008) and Afghanistan (2017). He was a paratrooper and found it almost funny that the Army would pay him more to jump out of airplanes when he would have gladly done it for free. Jeff was profoundly affected by his experiences serving overseas and often felt conflicted that he had survived his deployments, considering how close he was to losing his own life in the line of duty, and grieving the loss of those who didn’t make it home.

Jeff’s military brothers say he was the heart and soul of every Army unit he was a part of. He excelled in the special forces community, the missile defense community, and the intelligence community. Jeff was a beacon of laughter, compassion, and unwavering dedication. Known for his quick wit and kind spirit, he had an unmatched ability to brighten anyone’s day with a story, a joke, or a helping hand. A true soldier’s soldier, Jeff excelled at his work and was an invaluable asset to the Army. His resilience was legendary. He once got shot in the leg during training and literally laughed it off, turning it into a comedic tale that will be told for decades. That was Jeff in every sense: courageous, selfless, and unforgettable. After retirement from the Army and at the time of his passing, he was a well-respected and sought-after Senior Instructor who taught Ground Base Mid-Course Defense for Space Missile Defense Command (SMDC) and contractor Defense Management Company, Inc. in Colorado Springs. 

Jeff and Keeley found great purpose in providing a loving home for multiple dogs over the years. Their dogs were their children, and Jeff was a happy pup pop. Together with Keeley, he cared for each dog unconditionally, and showered each one with attention and deep affection. In the wake of Keeley’s passing, Jeff’s fur-children were the embers that kept him moving, and his life and love became even more focused on his dogs. It is hard to imagine anyone who could love a fur-baby the way Jeff did.

Later in life, Jeff developed a love and skill for bowling. He and his wife were members of several Denver-area leagues, and they formed many happy social circles through their shared hobby. He also was an avid sports fanatic, particularly when it came to his Denver teams. Recently over Thanksgiving dinner, Jeff cited the fact that the Broncos had finally found a franchise quarterback as the thing he was thankful for this year. 

Jeff loved to tell stories. He used stories to make connections with others, tease his loved ones, or get a good laugh. He often commanded the attention of everyone in the room when he told his stories, and his laughter drew listeners in and set them at ease. 

Above all, Jeff loved no one more than his wife, his parents, and his nieces and nephews. He loved his siblings too, but mostly because they gave him nieces and nephews. He was known to fly cross country to attend a wedding, a graduation, a football game, a boxing match, or any other event that put one of his siblings’ children in the spotlight. He answered their calls when they needed help the most. He tried to make their lives easier if he could. He hugged them the longest when they were in the room, and his concern for them was unmistakable.

Jeff is preceded in death by his wife of 19 years, Keeley Cook, his dogs Babe and Barley, his father, Jerry “JC” Cook, his oldest brother, David Cook, his niece, Sariah Sollars, and several extended family members, including all of his grandparents and some aunts, uncles, and cousins. He also lived to mourn the loss of several close friends and fellow servicemen and women.

He is survived by: his dogs, Lego and Gertrude; his mother, Sandi Cook; his siblings Cynthia (BJ) Sollars, Heather (Kevin) Tanner, Monica (Richard) Gillespie, Alan Cook, Scott Cook, and Brian (Kayla) Cook; members of Keeley’s family, including parents-in-law Ralph and Linda Root, and in-laws Robert (Veronica) Root and Darby (Justin) Gallardo and their families; 

and multiple nieces and nephews, (all of whom the Favorite Uncle Jeff would likely want to be acknowledged here): Charles Jeffrey “CJ” Sollars, David Sollars, Jordan Sollars, Samuel (Claire) Sollars, Zakery Sollars, Maerik Sollars, Dalton (Hannah) Tanner, Ethan Tanner, Landon (Elena) Tanner, Mason Tanner, Camille Tanner, Devin Gillespie, Jessica (Alex) Raffensperger, McKayla (Ryan) Calvert, Joshua Gillespie, Carina Cook, David Cook, Nathan Cook, Jonah Cook, Benjamin Cook, Katherine Cook, and Micah Cook, Aeia Root, Regan Root, Tristan Root, Kinsley Gallardo (Jeff’s God-daughter), and Jackson Gallardo;

several great-nieces and nephews: Adaline Raffensperger, Camilla Raffensperger, Audrianna Raffensperger, Claira Raffensperger, Madison Calvert, Colt Calvert, Raelynn Gillespie, and Rylee Gillespie.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM MST on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (950 Laredo Street, Aurora, Colorado 80011). The service will also be broadcast on Zoom for those who may not be able to attend in person: https://zoom.us/j/92062988402.