March 29, 1940 - March 9, 2016

Bryce G. Cook, 75, a resident of the Big Lake community, passed away on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon.

Bryce was born in Bellingham on March 29, 1940, the son of Isaac & Thelma (Wood) Cook. He was raised in Bow where he attended Edison Elementary and Burlington-Edison High School. He was the state wrestling champion his senior year, graduating in 1958. He then attended Washington State University, graduating in 1963 with a degree in education. He was a four year letterman in wrestling, team captain and the Pac 6 champion.

On July 8, 1960 Bryce was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Donna Miller and they made their home in Edmonds.
Bryce taught Industrial Arts and was the wrestling coach at Edmonds High School for 2 years, at Woodway High School for 26 years and at Edmonds-Woodway High School for 2 years until his retirement.

Bryce was very active in the wrestling community. He was a coach for 30 years; was a founder of the Wrestling Rhino free style wrestling club; was a recipient of the B-EHS Athlete Hall of Fame, the Edmonds-Woodway HS Coaches Hall of Fame, the Washington State Wrestling Hall of Fame and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. He was also a member of the Washington Wrestling Coaches Association and was WWCA secretary. He was a member of the Lutheran Church in Edmonds and Mount Vernon.

His leisure time activities were hunting, fishing and riding his dirt bike with his family.

Bryce is survived by his wife of 55 years, Donna Cook of Big Lake; his children, Christina Granard and her husband Rob of Woodinville and Mark Cook of Richfield, WA; his grandchildren, Tristan, Gavin and Kaitlyn Cook and C. Dillon & Danica Granard; his twin brother, Bruce Cook and his wife Helen of Big Lake and brother Lloyd Cook and wife Charlotte of Zillah, WA and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family requests that contributions in Bryce's name be made to Parkinson's Research. www.parkinsonhope.org or the Jack Reynolds Scholarship Fund, www.jackreynoldsscholarshipfund.org

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at 11:00 AM at the Camano Chapel, 867 SW Camano Drive, Camano, Island with Pastor Chris Kramer officiating. Private interment will be at the Bow Cemetery.

Services are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Share memories of Bryce and sign the online guest register at www.lemleychapel.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Skagit Valley Herald from Mar. 18 to Mar. 20, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for BRYCE COOK

23 Entries

Lisa (Smith) Johnson

March 31, 2016

Mr. Cook was one of the greatest men I have ever known. He helped instill in me the value of integrity, of keeping my head up, of striving for the best. He went above and beyond to all of those who were fortunate enough to have come across his path. The world will shine a little less brightly without him though his amazing legacy will continue on.
He was truly one of the greatest individuals I have yet to ever meet.

Joe Dokes

March 29, 2016

Please accept my sincerest condolences.

March 26, 2016

Bryce was a great man and a wonderful mentor for me as a young coach starting out as a wrestling coach. He touched many young people's lives in a positive way and helped them on and off the wrestling mat.
Thanks Bryce for the legacy that you leave behind for all of us that benefitted from your involvement in our lives. May we pass on through our interactions and positive influence another generation to follow in your huge footsteps.
Go Cougs!
Ed Bailey

March 26, 2016

Bryce loved Donna, his children, grandchildren, his friends and the lord. His formula for life was simple; do your best every day, be consistent, work hard and accept the results. I was honored to be called his friend.
Gary Price Gig Harbor, Wa

Rick Meinhold

March 26, 2016

Coach Cook. Too many years have gone by since you began your HS coaching career. I was among that 1st group of inexperienced and dumb sophomores that you molded into tough, skilled and confident competitors. Your knowledge, dedication and "hands on" teaching style shaped young men's lives - way beyond the "mats." The wrestler mentality that you instilled and modeled has had a profound impact on my own life. THANK YOU!

Rick Meinhold
Edmonds Wrestler
63 - 66

Mike Jostrom

March 25, 2016

Coach Cook taught me how to believe in myself and how to turn that belief into action. This has served me all of my life. He was also just exactly the wholesome, passionate and enthusiastic role model that I hope to be myself. Coach, thanks for all that you gave to me and to so many others along the way. (Woodway, '72)

March 23, 2016

Mr Cook was my only High School Sports Coach, 2 yrs of Wrestling. He was always supportive in his Wrestlers reaching for Big Dreams or Big Goals. He kept my Wins & Losses, positive for a striving future. The Memories he left we me were always to reach high, in an Honest way. The skills he taught me for defense and offense kept me off the Pinned list, never pinned, during our 2 yrs of the Sport, okay, only in practice, never in a school match. He was the PIN in our practices, and a few other Warriors. Great Memories, Never Forgotten...

March 23, 2016

BRYCE AND DONNA: THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE FOR SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE EDMONDS SCHOOL DISTRICT AND BEYOND.
MY PRAYER: JESUS, REMEMBER BRYCE WHEN YOU COME INTO YOUR KINGDOM.
VAYA CON DIOS, BILL HERBER

Terry Heys

March 22, 2016

I am sorry for your loss. Bryce was a good man and someone I looked up to as a young impressionable high school student. Even though he wasn't my wrestling coach he would walk over and give me encouragement during wrestling tournaments. It always made me feel better that someone of his importance knew my name and cared how I did. I always appreciated that and try to pass that down to others as he taught me. Thank you Mr. Cook

Steve Fiorito

March 21, 2016

Mr. Cook, "Coach Cook" was an inspiration to so many young people. Aside from his charming personality and bright smile, his desire to see his students and wrestlers excel, was personified through his teaching and coaching. I enjoyed having him as my high school wrestling coach at Woodway High School. All good memories. May his family find some peace during this troubled time. He will be missed.

Stewart Naylor

March 21, 2016

My deepest condolences to his family and brother, Bruce. I wrestled for Bruce at Meadowdale and always enjoyed the wrestling rivalry between the two brothers. These twin brothers were great role models for many young men and I for one would like to thank them. Bryce's commitment to wrestling with all the off season tournaments he coordinated helped make me a strong man. Thank you Bryce. I send my love to all the family.

Dave Strong

March 21, 2016

I am saddened to hear of the loss of Bryce. He was a fine man. I was proud to know him as a friend and a fellow member of the BEHS Class of '58 !

Brock Bowyer

March 21, 2016

I wrestled for Bruce Cook at Meadowdale. The experience was a life changer for me. I always admired both of them. The lessons I learned about "life" had nothing to do with Wrestling. Very proud to say I was one of the Legions that passed through this program.

Shannon Erickson

March 21, 2016

I'm so sorry for your loss. I remember him class 84...blessings...may our Lord Jesus give you peace.

Mike Cooper

March 20, 2016

I had the unique experience of competing against Bryce and being a part of the EW program. You are in heaven now and at peace. Our family sends our prayers to Donna and family. RIP Coach

Randy Stoneman

March 20, 2016

so sorry to hear of this news, I had Mr. Cook as a wood shop teacher at WoodWay in 1976 and 1977. I always enjoyed him as a teacher and a person, RIP Mr. Cook

Dave & Donna Hoffman

March 20, 2016

A loss of a fine man, a great role model and good friend. Our deepest sympathies go out to the family of wonderful person.

Rod Waddell

March 20, 2016

Our prayers & sympathy to Donna & family and to Bruce & Helen. It was a privilege for me to have worked with Bryce for a number of years at WHS. He was a great leader of young people.
Rod & Joyce Waddell

marilyn Steiner

March 18, 2016

I am so sorry! You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I especially remember our fun time playing pony canasta with you and Donna which Donna and I won all of the time.

March 18, 2016

My condolences to Donna and Family, Bruce and Helen. You and Bruce are the TRUE GENTLEMEN examples of both Neill Hall, WSU and Wrestling. Wrestle on Bryce.

Wally Smith Anchorage, AK

Harlan & Annie Olsen

March 18, 2016

We send our sympathy to all of the family. We remember the times we spent with Bryce and Donna at RV Rallies with the Cascade Cortez Club. We'll never forget the smile that seemed to be permanently on Bryce's face.

March 18, 2016

Sending my deepest sympathy to Donna, Bruce and Helen and their families. Bryce was a very special man!
Nancy Rimmer

Betty Swihart

March 18, 2016

Sending my sympathy's to Donna and family, Bruce and Helen. Many memories of Edison and BEHS. Will miss you Bryce.

Showing 1 - 23 of 23 results