P.J. Cook

** View PJ's video tribute by clicking weblink above. ** Pershing J. Cook passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at the age of 94, at the Spearfish Regional Hospital. PJ was born July 16, 1918, in Fountain Green, UT. to Thomas H. Cook and Anna E. Nielson. He grew up in Sanpete County, UT and graduated from Moroni High School. Upon graduation he attended LDS Business College in Salt Lake City, UT. Upon graduation he worked for a short period of time as an accountant before serving as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Spanish American Mission. In 1943 he enlisted in the US Army Air Corp. He served until the end of the war in the China-India-Burma theater. After WW II he returned to Sanpete County where he met a ‘dark haired lass’ who became his eternal companion. On January 8, 1948, he married Darylne Story and they began their career in the sheep business. In 1949 they purchased a sheep ranch north of Newell, SD. PJ was involved for the next 64 years in the sheep business. During that time he was involved closely in local, state, and national sheep and wool organizations. PJ was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in numerous leadership positions including: district president, branch president, bishop, patriarch, and temple sealer. PJ loved his family, God, and country. PJ never had to work a day of his life because he loved his sheep. He always believed “once a sheepman always a sheepman”. PJ is survived by: sons, John (Karen) Cook, Pine Haven, WY, Charles (Gail) Cook, Farson, WY, daughters, Colleen (Kurt) Goodman, Coalville, UT, Betty Jean (Loyd) Baadsgaard, Spanish Fork, UT, 20 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Tom (Barbara) Cook of St. George UT. He is preceded in death by his wife, Darlyne, sons, Carl and Doug, and granddaughter, Angela Goodman. Visitation will be held 9am to 7pm Friday, with the family present from 5pm to 7pm, at Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche. The funeral service will be held 10am Saturday, March 23rd, 2013 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Chapel, (1105 Todd Street). He will be laid to rest next to his sweetheart at Pine Slope Cemetery following the services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the missionary fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.