Gary Lee Cook

Gary Lee Cook, 71, passionate traveler, true explorer, beloved husband, father (Daddio), grandfather (Poppy), brother, uncle, and friend passed away October 21, 2025, at Hospice of North Idaho with family by his side after a two year battle with cancer.

He was born February 4, 1954, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to Vic and Lorreta Cook, the youngest of their five children. He attended St. Thomas grade school and IHM Academy before graduating from Coeur d’Alene High School where he met lifelong friends.

Gary leaves behind a series of partially-used frequent flier miles and long-suffering family who consistently worried about his whereabouts until they received a phone call or postcard from remote corners around the world. It was his restless spirit and passion for adventure where he found joy in exploring and discovery across the globe. He is survived by a legacy of adventure and memories of those who traveled alongside him.

Gary was Mallory’s Daddio and will forever be her “Disneyland Dad.” He was her source of comfort, security, travel agent/tour guide, and a wonderful father. Gary gave her the gift of living life to the fullest and seeking new adventures (safely).

Gary was a proud member of Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) for over 53 years, serving out of Local 238 in Spokane where he was honored with a highly coveted gold membership card. Gary was a hardworking, respected team member who worked on numerous road construction and oil field jobs spanning Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Alaska. During his tenure with LIUNA he became a grade-checker and finished his career as a valued supervisor with Inland Asphalt.

Gary was an avid skier, he started skiing at an early age and spent many years on the ski slopes in the US, Canada and Europe. Gary was a member of the National Ski Patrol and for the last 25 years he was an integral member of Silver Mountain Ski Patrol. He had a love for skiing and commitment to safety, providing training for avalanche rescue for the Pacific Northwest ski patrollers. Gary was honored with a lifetime ski pass at Silver Mountain in September. During his retirement years, Gary also joined the Inland Northwest Hikers group and Coeur d’Alene Canoe & Kayak Club. If he wasn’t at home he was likely hiking, skiing and kayaking with his family.

In August 2019, Gary married his love, Jill Roche, who shared his passion for skiing and the outdoors. Together they skied numerous mountains in the US and Canada; hiked, kayaked, camped, traveled, and built a wonderful life together.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Vic and Lorreta, his brothers Tom and Jimmy, and his sisters Sally and Judy, and sister-in-law, Dina Cook and brother-in-law Jim Schreiber. He is survived by his wife, Jill Roche, his daughter Mallory Cook Griffith (Cory) and her mother (Diane Eastman), grandchildren Cecelia and Jackson Lee, brother-in-law Jim Hawkins, his niece, Patti, and nephews Jim Jr., Clay, David (Kelli), and Ron (Marie), as well as several other nieces and nephews.

The family asks in lieu of flowers, please book a flight somewhere you have never been, get outdoors, and toast the end of a long, and very well-traveled road.

Gary will be dearly missed but his passion for the outdoors and adventure, love and dedication to family will be forever cherished and passed on.

A celebration of life will be held at Hayden Lake Eagles (1520 W Wyoming Ave, Hayden ID 83835) on Saturday, November 15, 2025 from 1-3:30 P.M.

Arrangements are provided by Bell Tower. Online registry and condolences can be viewed and shared on their website.