Michael Lewis Cooke

Michael (Mike) Lewis Cooke passed away peacefully in his wife's loving arms on Saturday, July 16th. Mike was born on August 28, 1949, in Pomona, California, where he spent his childhood with his 3 brothers Bob, Russ, and Danny, and 3 sisters Sandy, Kathy, and Debbie. Mike was drafted into the US Army where he was stationed in Germany for his entire enlistment. When he returned to Pomona he spent a short time with the US Postal Service. Later that year he met his future wife and best friend Linda on a blind date. Mike and Linda were married in September 1972. Over the next 50 years, they and their 3 children spent time enjoying the desert, mountains and beaches in and near San Diego. There were camping trips to the river and desert riding dune buggies and Baja bugs, water skiing on the bay, motorcycle rides through the mountains as well as golfing, many car shows, and drag races. Mike was a gun enthusiast and a member of the NRA. He and his friends and grown grandkids enjoyed going to and participating in the many gun shows in southern California.

Mike's passion was working on classic cars, dune buggies, jet boats, and motorcycles customizing the engines of all. He also enjoyed designing handmade turquoise jewelry. He spent several seasons on the Baja 1000 and 500 courses (BajaFools) working with friends and the PPI pit crews.

Mike was a Master Forklift Mechanic as well as a metal finishing expert.

Upon his retirement in 2015, he decided to be a dog dad to Odie and Sugar his golden doodles. They would spend hours playing ball, then just hang out in the garage while he worked on his projects.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents Tom and Dianna Cooke, mother Betty Humphrey, his brother Daniel Cooke, brother-in-law John Stone and grandson John Michael Simmons.

Mike is survived by his wife of 50 years Linda, daughters Melinda (David), Lisha (Ed), and son Ron Katzman (Patty), and his 14 grandchildren Amanda, Paulina, Samantha, Oscar, Lauren, Hallie, Paulo, Christian, Conner, Colby, Cory, Courtney, and Ashley, and 3 great-grandchildren Libby, Jack, and Penny. PAPA to all, his family was his pride and joy.

Mike also made many wonderful friends over his lifetime. Mike would hope for everyone to love life as he did, to go for it and enjoy every minute.

"And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow." (Alma 40:12)

A verse selected just for her Papa by granddaughter Lauren.

There will be a celebration of Mike's amazing life in January 2023.

A donation to the American Heart Association is suggested in lieu of flowers.