Eric F. Cooke Obituary - Death Notice and Service Information

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Scottsdale, Arizona

When Eric Cooke was 17, police arrested him for possession of burglary tools. But by the time he reached his 40s, the military had turned him around. Besides earning two college degrees, Cooke reached one of the Army's highest noncommissioned ranks _ command sergeant major. Cooke, 43, who grew up in the Phoenix area, was killed Dec. 24 after his convoy vehicle struck a homemade bomb. He was based in Friedberg, Germany, where he met his wife of 23 years, Dagmar. Cooke also served in the 1991 Gulf War, where he earned a Bronze Star. "The U.S. Army did for that boy what I could not have done for him," said his mother, Georgia Cooke, who lives near Molalla, Ore. "They turned him into a man and a man among men, and that is not a mother bragging." Other survivors include his father, Cord Cooke, of Mesa, Ariz.

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Hi I had the pleasure to serve with CSM Cooke he was 1SG Cooke when I was in 1/1 Cav. In Buedingen Germany HHT 1/1 Cav. I was Support Plt. Platoon Sgt. When we deployed to Bosnia. He was Soldiers soldier. He loved soldiers. We had a offline conversation one day about God. I gave him a Gospel tract to read. He was easy to understand and use the common sense approach to problem solving I learned a lot from him. May he find rest in the eternal arms of God. From SSG.White L. May God Bless his...

Leroy White

March 28, 2025 | SC | Military

Thanks for all the mentorship and friendship. You were Soldier I could look up to and hope one day be able to fill your boots. You were an amazing Soldier and friend , I miss our conversations. The world has been less fortunate with your loss. I will joint you on Fiddlers Green one day. Love You, Brother

Michael Starr

May 30, 2022 | Westfield, VT | Friend

I was just at your resting pace, RIP my friend, I will never forget that day. Always thinking about you and your wife, back out time together back in Germany and Iraq 2003. Probably smoking a cigar in heaven. See you soon Eric, with love and friendship Sam Perrotta CSM (Ret.) 501 FSB, 1BCT, 1AD Friedberg, Germany.

Sam Perrotta

December 10, 2020 | Richmond Hill, GA

CSM, every year that goes by you are re,memebered around this time of the year. Not that you're not throughout the year. God Speed..

Derrick Tillman

December 27, 2017 | Chester, VA

Cant believe its been 14 years CSM.
Many days it seems like last night.
I will never forget what you did for us.

Marklein

December 24, 2017

Thought about you today CSM. This was a sad day for many, including me. Hope the chow is good and cigars are fine up there. RIP.
Never Forget!

Dean Neighbors

December 24, 2017 | NC

On the 12th anniversary of his passing, I still honor and respect CSM Eric Cook.

December 24, 2015

December 24, 2012
To the family and friends of Command Sgt. Maj. Eric F. Cooke:
Always remembering Eric. "Some gave all."

Peggy Childers

December 25, 2012 | Carson City, NV

More than Men but less than God
Heroes All
Soldiers that couldn't beat the odds
Destined to Fall
15 Months on the front lines
And I hear we're going again
Before we do let me tell you a story
Of a Man who was my friend
His Name was Eric Francis Cooke
His mother called him Buzz
But we just called him Sergeant Major
It was who not what he was
Now he got up every morning
Well before the light
Just to send his Mother an E-Mail
Telling her he was...

Marklein

December 24, 2012

Command Sgt. Maj. Eric F. Cooke

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