Michael Freddy Cook: 1963 – 2024 Born on September 18th, 1963 to the late James Edward Cook and Lois Lillian Smith Cook. Mike passed away on March 13th, 2024 just five weeks after suffering the heartbreaking loss of his dear wife Debra Roxanna Wilson Cook (5/9/1960 – 2/2/2024). Mike had a massive heart attack just after arriving at work on the morning of the 13th and was gone before reaching the hospital.
Known to those who loved him by many nicknames like Uncle Chimp, Dinosaur, Shrimp, and Chomp. Mike was a proud, sensitive, funny, quick witted, compassionate, and deep feeling man. With a bit of a complicated past and some things he wished he could have done differently in his early life, he always kept all of his family in the forefront of his mind.
One of his great sources of pride was in his work. With many years of service with Barfield Grading Company in Fort Mill, SC and a lifetime career in the field, there isn’t an area in York County and the surrounding counties that he hasn’t done work in. Just driving around with him, he could point out businesses, neighborhoods, homes, schools, etc that he was a part of the groundwork for. He was immensely proud of his skills with heavy equipment. He ran a Komatsu 490 Excavator with the skill and grace of an artist and would light up when asked about his job and his deep knowledge of the trade. From digging simple ditches, to clearing for entire neighborhoods, to complicated excavations, demolitions, footings, differing soil and rock layers, loading dump trucks, and the list goes on. He was truly a master of his trade and an irreplaceable asset to the industry.
When not reshaping the land at work, Mike enjoyed fishing, camping, blasting out rock tunes while driving around in his big ol’ tan truck, and relaxing at home with his wife and their sweet dog, Lucy. His idea of a perfect day was resting in his favorite chair, with Lucy in his lap, Debbie by his side, and some good shows to watch on TV. He was most comfortable in some cool shorts and a t-shirt with his trusty pair of Crocs on. He would tell anyone that once he retired he would never own another pair of shoes again. He said if he couldn’t go barefoot or in his Crocs, he wasn’t going.
That was Mike. He would tell you something so off the wall with a completely straight face and you wouldn’t know he was joking until he broke out that huge grin and started laughing. There isn’t any type of situation where he couldn’t lighten the mood with his sense of humor, hilarious observations, and comedic honesty. He could have you rolling laughing in a moment of tears and would frequently answer the phone with a joyful “What’s up Doc!?!” He had a heart as big as the world, but 40 years ago he gave it away to the love of his life. A beautiful woman he met while cruising Cherry Road in the early 80’s. After lots of smiles, jokes, and witnessing what he called the “slinky walk”, they were head over heels for each other. Nothing could stop their love. She held his heart deep within her own and she took it with her when she passed away just over 5 weeks ago.
He tried. He tried so hard to process, to understand, and to make sense of her being gone. But it was too much for him. He said the day before passing away that he just wanted to hug her again, to see her beautiful brown eyes, and to hold her. His heart couldn’t take being without her. And now they are together evermore. Hand in hand. Two hearts made whole once again.
Mike Cook was predeceased by his brother James “Buddy” Cook (1959 – 1984), his father James “Jimmy” Cook (1931 – 1999), his mother Lois Smith Cook (1934 – 2008), his brother-in-law Charles Shirley (1949 – 2010) his sister Joyce Cook Shirley (1956 – 2011), his wife Debra “Debbie” Cook (1960 – 2024), many other extended family and friends, and he and Debbie’s much loved dogs, Fred and Skeeter.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his sisters Kathy Cook Krzemien of Rock Hill, SC and Carol Cook Burns (spouse, Bobby R. Burns) of York, SC, his daughters Angela Sisk Starnes (spouse, William Edward Starnes) and Kandi Holder Alvarez, and many grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends. The family would like to extend a very special heartfelt Thank You to Mr. Barry Fuller. He has their deepest gratitude for all he’s done for Mike and the family as a whole.
The family will have a visitation from 6:00 pm until 7:30 pm Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at Greene Funeral Home Northwest Chapel, 2133 Ebenezer Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732.
Donations to honor Mr. Michael Cook may be made to any local hospice or center that cares for those in need that the donor may choose.
Condolences can be made at greenefuneralhome.net.