Rodger Moody Cooke

Rodger Moody Cooke, 80, of Rio Verde and Flagstaff, AZ passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, August 30th. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Toshiko Kinjo Cooke, adoring daughter Leika Cooke McNally, son-in-law Terry McNally, sister Joan Cooke Peterson, nephew Jody Peterson (Melissa), niece Beth Fitts (Chris) and best friend Dr. Buck Fondren (Lisa), as well as many friends and extended family members in the United States and Japan who will miss him dearly.

Rodger was kind and easy going with a wonderful sense of humor and great sense of style. Affectionately known as "Buddy" to family and friends, he was born and raised in Roanoke Rapids, NC. The son of the late Rodger Aaron and Edith Moody Cooke, he was a standout athlete in grade school and high school. He was drafted into the Army and was stationed in Turkey, Greece and finally Okinawa, Japan where he met the love of his life, Toshiko. After months of dating, on Halloween, he asked her "trick or treat". She said "treat" and he presented her with an engagement ring. They were married the following January and had a baby girl that October. Rodger was a gentle and doting father, spending most weekends taking his daughter to soccer games and tournaments up and down the East Coast. A dedicated and loving family man, he cherished his wife and daughter with his whole heart. Their love for him was just as steadfast and true.

A graduate of East Carolina University, Rodger spent the majority of his career with WestPoint Home (formerly JP Stevens) which took him from North Carolina to Ohio and finally New Jersey where he commuted daily into Manhattan. He enjoyed his camaraderie with his coworkers immensely, often regaling his family with funny tales about their various hijinks. When he and his wife finally retired from their respective careers, they moved to Arizona to join their daughter and son-in-law.

When he wasn't driving Toshiko around on their daily trips to the store, Rodger enjoyed reading, painting, going on walks and spending time with family. He was also a fan of college football and basketball. He immensely enjoyed watching his four "grand dogs" create havoc as well as lay in his lap when they took their naps. Rodger also loved relaxing on his back patio in Rio Verde - soaking in the desert landscape and in later years, Flagstaff, where he was invigorated by the fresh air and pine trees.

He is predeceased by his parents, Rodger and Edith Cooke and his brother-in-law Joseph "Joe" Peterson.

We are eternally grateful to Sherry, Liz and all his wonderful caretakers who helped him live his final month in comfort and dignity. Their visits not only provided physical and emotional support for him but for our entire family as well.

In keeping with his wishes, there will be no funeral services. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Northern Arizona Alzheimer's and Dementia Alliance (https://www.nazada.org).