Tom Cook

1946 - 2025

Tom C. Cook, 78, of Shelley, passed away on September 1, 2025, at Idaho Falls Community Hospital surrounded by his children and family.

Thomas Clare Cook was born on September 17, 1946, at the LDS Hospital in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He was the 5th of 9 children born to Don Ford Cook and Clara Greenwood Cook.

Tom spent most of his youth growing up in Rigby and the surrounding areas. When he was 15, his family moved to Arco, Idaho, where he finished his education and graduated from Butte High School in 1964. Tom took pride in the fact that when his class painted their class number, it was the highest on the hill, and remained so for many many years.

On November 18, 1965, Tom married Karen Jean Woodbridge in Rigby, Idaho. Tom and Karen made their home in Idaho Falls, where they added 3 children to their family. Paula Jean (1968), Tonya Dawn (1972) and Terry Thomas (1977). Although Tom and Karen later divorced in 1997, they remained in each other's lives and continued to be good friends.

Tom served in the Idaho Army National Guard with the 116th Engineer Battalion, Company A, out of Rigby, from 1966 to 1971. During this time he was deployed for active duty to Vietnam as an Equipment Specialist He was Honorably Discharged from the Army National Guard as a Level 5 Specialist. During his service he made many life long friends who he regularly spent time with over the next 55 years.

Following the military, Tom found his niche as a Finance Manager for the next 30 years. He worked at a variety of companies including Avco, Smith's Chevrolet, Cole's Chevrolet, Motor Sports, Hirning GMC, and retired from Ron Sayer in 2006. In 1991, he moved to Shelley, Idaho. He had an itching to get back to his roots and have a shop. While living in Shelley he adopted and became the provider for many stray cats, sheep, goats, llamas, and even a beefalo.

Tom took pride driving his black 1970 Chevelle SS around town and displaying it at car shows. He enjoyed meeting with his car club to catch up and talk about cars. For many years he enjoyed displaying his car from Salmon, ID (Spokes and Chrome Car show) to Brigham City, UT. (Peach Pit Days) Tom also enjoyed the long days of puttering out in the shop, fixing and selling cars and tractors, living in the country, his time camping up at Palisades, and spending the holidays with his family.

Tom was a very generous man who didn't like to see people (or animals) go without and not help them. Tom leaves behind a hard work ethic and love for his family. He will be remembered by all who knew him.

Tom is survived by his daughters; Paula Cook of Idaho Falls, and Tonya Cook, of Idaho Falls; son, Terry (Pam) Cook of Idaho Falls; sister, Sybil Morris of Rigby; sister, Carolyn Groesbeck of Idaho Falls; sister, Donna Vadnis of Rigby; brother, Roger (Shelley) Cook of Shelley; brother, Bruce (Mariam) Cook of Idaho Falls; Karen Cook of Idaho Falls; 9 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Clara Cook, three brothers, Steve Cook, Gene Cook, and Doug Cook; 4 brothers-in-law, 2 sisters-in-law, one niece and two nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road. The family will visit with friends Friday from 5:30-7 p.m. and Saturday from 1-1:45 p.m. prior to the services. Both visitations will he held at Wood East Side. Burial will be in the Taylor Cemetery. Military honors will be performed by Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and the Idaho Military Honor Guard.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.