Kent E. Cook, HSCM, USCG, (Ret.)
On Wednesday, August 18, 2021, Master Chief Petty Officer (HSCM) Kent E. Cook, loving husband and father of seven children, unexpectedly passed away at the age of 62.
Kent was born on December 20, 1958 in Kansas City, MO to Bill Cook and Betty (Jacobs) Cook. He enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in February of 1978. He married Susan Morris on June 2, 1978, and they raised two daughters Brandy Preston and Patricia Harris.
The couple divorced after ten years of marriage. Kent remarried on July 16, 1988; he and his second wife Doris Flynn raised three sons: Kent Jr., Marshall (Robbie), and Evan, and two daughters Amanda (Cook) Hellman and Kayla. Kent and Doris amicably divorced in 2002. Kent married his third wife, Anesha (Smith) Cook on April 12, 2016. Kent was an avid reader who loved to write poetry, play the guitar, and be outdoors with his children.
He had an immense passion for his work as a Coast Guard Health Services Technician (Corpsman); all he ever wanted to do was to help people, and he dedicated over 30 years of his life doing so. He was known for his quick wit, infectious smile, and his kind and compassionate spirit. Kent was preceded in death by his grandparents and his brother, Keith. Aside from his parents, children, and wife, he is survived by his sister Melissa (Cook) Lopez, his brother, Todd, two sons-in-law, Brian Harris and Adam Hellman, four grandchildren: Kristofer Matthews, Elizabeth Turner, Wyatt Harris, and Haylee Preston, as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service to celebrate Kent's life will be held on Saturday September 4, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the Petaluma Veterans Memorial Building, 1049 Petaluma, Blvd S, Petaluma, CA 94952
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation In Memory of HSCM Kent E. Cook to the U.S. Coast Guard Fallen Heroes Fund at: https://coastguardfoundation.salsalabs.org
Published by Press Democrat from September 1 to September 5, 2021.
Addendum by George S. P. McCall, HSC, USCG, (Ret.)
Requested by Anesha Cook, Kent's wife, and Mrs. Betty Leon, Kent's mother as a tribute to a husband, son, brother-in-arms, and a true friend to many.
Before I write my personal tribute to HSCM Cook, I want everybody who served with him in the coast guard to know that I am writing this tribute on behalf of all of you. I hope and pray that what I write about Master Chief Cook represents the same feelings that all of you have towards him. Furthermore, my wish in writing this tribute is knowing that all of you agree with what I write regarding the impact that he had on all of our lives and our coast guard careers, and that it reflects our true love for an outstanding brother-in-ams, mentor, shipmate and true friend. In essence, this tribute is your tribute as much as it is mine. I pray that I have done "good" in representing you all with my tribute to Master Chief Cook. In writing this tribute, I chose to "personalize" Master Chief Cook by using his first name, Kent, in order to be less formal in paying a tribute to a wonderful human being.
I would like to offer my condolences to Kent's wife, Anesha Cook on the loss of her dear husband Kent E. Cook. I also want to offer my condolences to Kent's immediate family, his friends, associates, acquaintances and to those who were lucky enough to have served with him in the U.S. Coast Guard. I first met Kent in 2001 when I was a Petty Officer First Class (HS1) at U.S. Coast Guard Training Center, Cape May, New Jersey. To me, Kent was the epitome of what a Coast Guard Master Chief should be. He carried himself well and was always in a sharp uniform whether he was wearing a dress uniform or ODUs. Kent was respected from the Captain of the training center down to the last recruit to step off the bus at recruit orientation. I never heard Kent yell at anybody; he didn't have to be loud because he was a big guy, and his size alone commanded respect; however, I quickly learned that the biggest thing about Kent was his heart; moreover, sometimes he would wear his heart on his sleeve. Yes, he was a sensitive leader, especially towards his HS staff. Kent was an outstanding leader who didn't hesitate to assist anybody on their way up the promotion ladder. He was passionate about his work and passed that passion on to junior personnel, instilling in me my desire to make HSC, which I did in 2004. Kent departed Cape May and headed to U.S. Coast Guard Training Center (TRACEN) Petaluma, California in late spring of 2004. After I made HSC, I asked Kent's opinion on my desire to attend the U.S. Navy's Surface Force Independent Duty Corpsman (SF-IDC) School in San Diego, CA. He encouraged me to apply for the school at a time when Chief Petty Officers with 18 years of service would normally be preparing to retire after 20 years of service. This was a pivotal time in my career. I faced many challenging decisions in which Kent helped me to focus on. During summer of 2004, I was attending the Chief Petty Officer's Academy when I was notified that I was accepted to the year-long US Navy's IDC School as well as offered a position by Kent at TRACEN Petaluma as an instructor at the USCG's new Independent Duty Health Services (IDHS) "C" School. In 2006, I ultimately found myself in Petaluma, CA once again working for Kent as an instructor. During my tenure at TRACEN Petaluma, he and I became good friends, and anytime I needed to discuss anything with him, I knew his door was always open. Now, it has been almost 12 years since I've seen Kent; we did keep in touch on Face Book, and we remained good friends. When I heard of his passing, I was stunned and saddened. Kent was a teacher, preacher, leader and mentor to many people throughout the coast guard. However, the biggest impact I believe he had on everybody who knew him was the "esprit de corps" he happily extended to the innumerable coast guard personnel he had come into contact with throughout his 30+ years of service.
"Twilight and evening bell, and after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, when I embark".
"Stand down the watch, Master Chief Cook. Your shipmates now have the watch. You have honorably been relieved of your duties; rest easy in the arms of the Lord".
"Fair winds and Following seas Kent on your eternal voyage with God"
On Wednesday, August 18, 2021, Master Chief Petty Officer (HSCM) Kent E. Cook, loving husband and father of seven children, unexpectedly passed away at the age of 62.
Kent was born on December 20, 1958 in Kansas City, MO to Bill Cook and Betty (Jacobs) Cook. He enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in February of 1978. He married Susan Morris on June 2, 1978, and they raised two daughters Brandy Preston and Patricia Harris.
The couple divorced after ten years of marriage. Kent remarried on July 16, 1988; he and his second wife Doris Flynn raised three sons: Kent Jr., Marshall (Robbie), and Evan, and two daughters Amanda (Cook) Hellman and Kayla. Kent and Doris amicably divorced in 2002. Kent married his third wife, Anesha (Smith) Cook on April 12, 2016. Kent was an avid reader who loved to write poetry, play the guitar, and be outdoors with his children.
He had an immense passion for his work as a Coast Guard Health Services Technician (Corpsman); all he ever wanted to do was to help people, and he dedicated over 30 years of his life doing so. He was known for his quick wit, infectious smile, and his kind and compassionate spirit. Kent was preceded in death by his grandparents and his brother, Keith. Aside from his parents, children, and wife, he is survived by his sister Melissa (Cook) Lopez, his brother, Todd, two sons-in-law, Brian Harris and Adam Hellman, four grandchildren: Kristofer Matthews, Elizabeth Turner, Wyatt Harris, and Haylee Preston, as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service to celebrate Kent's life will be held on Saturday September 4, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the Petaluma Veterans Memorial Building, 1049 Petaluma, Blvd S, Petaluma, CA 94952
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation In Memory of HSCM Kent E. Cook to the U.S. Coast Guard Fallen Heroes Fund at: https://coastguardfoundation.salsalabs.org
Published by Press Democrat from September 1 to September 5, 2021.
Addendum by George S. P. McCall, HSC, USCG, (Ret.)
Requested by Anesha Cook, Kent's wife, and Mrs. Betty Leon, Kent's mother as a tribute to a husband, son, brother-in-arms, and a true friend to many.
Before I write my personal tribute to HSCM Cook, I want everybody who served with him in the coast guard to know that I am writing this tribute on behalf of all of you. I hope and pray that what I write about Master Chief Cook represents the same feelings that all of you have towards him. Furthermore, my wish in writing this tribute is knowing that all of you agree with what I write regarding the impact that he had on all of our lives and our coast guard careers, and that it reflects our true love for an outstanding brother-in-ams, mentor, shipmate and true friend. In essence, this tribute is your tribute as much as it is mine. I pray that I have done "good" in representing you all with my tribute to Master Chief Cook. In writing this tribute, I chose to "personalize" Master Chief Cook by using his first name, Kent, in order to be less formal in paying a tribute to a wonderful human being.
I would like to offer my condolences to Kent's wife, Anesha Cook on the loss of her dear husband Kent E. Cook. I also want to offer my condolences to Kent's immediate family, his friends, associates, acquaintances and to those who were lucky enough to have served with him in the U.S. Coast Guard. I first met Kent in 2001 when I was a Petty Officer First Class (HS1) at U.S. Coast Guard Training Center, Cape May, New Jersey. To me, Kent was the epitome of what a Coast Guard Master Chief should be. He carried himself well and was always in a sharp uniform whether he was wearing a dress uniform or ODUs. Kent was respected from the Captain of the training center down to the last recruit to step off the bus at recruit orientation. I never heard Kent yell at anybody; he didn't have to be loud because he was a big guy, and his size alone commanded respect; however, I quickly learned that the biggest thing about Kent was his heart; moreover, sometimes he would wear his heart on his sleeve. Yes, he was a sensitive leader, especially towards his HS staff. Kent was an outstanding leader who didn't hesitate to assist anybody on their way up the promotion ladder. He was passionate about his work and passed that passion on to junior personnel, instilling in me my desire to make HSC, which I did in 2004. Kent departed Cape May and headed to U.S. Coast Guard Training Center (TRACEN) Petaluma, California in late spring of 2004. After I made HSC, I asked Kent's opinion on my desire to attend the U.S. Navy's Surface Force Independent Duty Corpsman (SF-IDC) School in San Diego, CA. He encouraged me to apply for the school at a time when Chief Petty Officers with 18 years of service would normally be preparing to retire after 20 years of service. This was a pivotal time in my career. I faced many challenging decisions in which Kent helped me to focus on. During summer of 2004, I was attending the Chief Petty Officer's Academy when I was notified that I was accepted to the year-long US Navy's IDC School as well as offered a position by Kent at TRACEN Petaluma as an instructor at the USCG's new Independent Duty Health Services (IDHS) "C" School. In 2006, I ultimately found myself in Petaluma, CA once again working for Kent as an instructor. During my tenure at TRACEN Petaluma, he and I became good friends, and anytime I needed to discuss anything with him, I knew his door was always open. Now, it has been almost 12 years since I've seen Kent; we did keep in touch on Face Book, and we remained good friends. When I heard of his passing, I was stunned and saddened. Kent was a teacher, preacher, leader and mentor to many people throughout the coast guard. However, the biggest impact I believe he had on everybody who knew him was the "esprit de corps" he happily extended to the innumerable coast guard personnel he had come into contact with throughout his 30+ years of service.
"Twilight and evening bell, and after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, when I embark".
"Stand down the watch, Master Chief Cook. Your shipmates now have the watch. You have honorably been relieved of your duties; rest easy in the arms of the Lord".
"Fair winds and Following seas Kent on your eternal voyage with God"
Kent E. Cook, HSCM, USCG, (Ret.)
On Wednesday, August 18, 2021, Master Chief Petty Officer (HSCM) Kent E. Cook, loving husband and father of seven children, unexpectedly passed away at the age of 62.
Kent was born on December 20, 1958 in Kansas City, MO to Bill Cook and Betty (Jacobs) Cook. He enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in February of 1978. He married Susan Morris on June 2, 1978, and they raised two daughters Brandy Preston and Patricia Harris.
The couple divorced after ten years of marriage. Kent remarried on July 16, 1988; he and his second wife Doris Flynn raised three sons: Kent Jr., Marshall (Robbie), and Evan, and two daughters Amanda (Cook) Hellman and Kayla. Kent and Doris amicably divorced in 2002. Kent married his third wife, Anesha (Smith) Cook on April 12, 2016. Kent was an avid reader who loved to write poetry, play the guitar, and be outdoors with his children.
He had an immense passion for his work as a Coast Guard Health Services Technician (Corpsman); all he ever wanted to do was to help people, and he dedicated over 30 years of his life doing so. He was known for his quick wit, infectious smile, and his kind and compassionate spirit. Kent was preceded in death by his grandparents and his brother, Keith. Aside from his parents, children, and wife, he is survived by his sister Melissa (Cook) Lopez, his brother, Todd, two sons-in-law, Brian Harris and Adam Hellman, four grandchildren: Kristofer Matthews, Elizabeth Turner, Wyatt Harris, and Haylee Preston, as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service to celebrate Kent's life will be held on Saturday September 4, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the Petaluma Veterans Memorial Building, 1049 Petaluma, Blvd S, Petaluma, CA 94952
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation In Memory of HSCM Kent E. Cook to the U.S. Coast Guard Fallen Heroes Fund at: https://coastguardfoundation.salsalabs.org
Published by Press Democrat from September 1 to September 5, 2021.
Addendum by George S. P. McCall, HSC, USCG, (Ret.)
Requested by Anesha Cook, Kent's wife, and Mrs. Betty Leon, Kent's mother as a tribute to a husband, son, brother-in-arms, and a true friend to many.
Before I write my personal tribute to HSCM Cook, I want everybody who served with him in the coast guard to know that I am writing this tribute on behalf of all of you. I hope and pray that what I write about Master Chief Cook represents the same feelings that all of you have towards him. Furthermore, my wish in writing this tribute is knowing that all of you agree with what I write regarding the impact that he had on all of our lives and our coast guard careers, and that it reflects our true love for an outstanding brother-in-ams, mentor, shipmate and true friend. In essence, this tribute is your tribute as much as it is mine. I pray that I have done "good" in representing you all with my tribute to Master Chief Cook. In writing this tribute, I chose to "personalize" Master Chief Cook by using his first name, Kent, in order to be less formal in paying a tribute to a wonderful human being.
I would like to offer my condolences to Kent's wife, Anesha Cook on the loss of her dear husband Kent E. Cook. I also want to offer my condolences to Kent's immediate family, his friends, associates, acquaintances and to those who were lucky enough to have served with him in the U.S. Coast Guard. I first met Kent in 2001 when I was a Petty Officer First Class (HS1) at U.S. Coast Guard Training Center, Cape May, New Jersey. To me, Kent was the epitome of what a Coast Guard Master Chief should be. He carried himself well and was always in a sharp uniform whether he was wearing a dress uniform or ODUs. Kent was respected from the Captain of the training center down to the last recruit to step off the bus at recruit orientation. I never heard Kent yell at anybody; he didn't have to be loud because he was a big guy, and his size alone commanded respect; however, I quickly learned that the biggest thing about Kent was his heart; moreover, sometimes he would wear his heart on his sleeve. Yes, he was a sensitive leader, especially towards his HS staff. Kent was an outstanding leader who didn't hesitate to assist anybody on their way up the promotion ladder. He was passionate about his work and passed that passion on to junior personnel, instilling in me my desire to make HSC, which I did in 2004. Kent departed Cape May and headed to U.S. Coast Guard Training Center (TRACEN) Petaluma, California in late spring of 2004. After I made HSC, I asked Kent's opinion on my desire to attend the U.S. Navy's Surface Force Independent Duty Corpsman (SF-IDC) School in San Diego, CA. He encouraged me to apply for the school at a time when Chief Petty Officers with 18 years of service would normally be preparing to retire after 20 years of service. This was a pivotal time in my career. I faced many challenging decisions in which Kent helped me to focus on. During summer of 2004, I was attending the Chief Petty Officer's Academy when I was notified that I was accepted to the year-long US Navy's IDC School as well as offered a position by Kent at TRACEN Petaluma as an instructor at the USCG's new Independent Duty Health Services (IDHS) "C" School. In 2006, I ultimately found myself in Petaluma, CA once again working for Kent as an instructor. During my tenure at TRACEN Petaluma, he and I became good friends, and anytime I needed to discuss anything with him, I knew his door was always open. Now, it has been almost 12 years since I've seen Kent; we did keep in touch on Face Book, and we remained good friends. When I heard of his passing, I was stunned and saddened. Kent was a teacher, preacher, leader and mentor to many people throughout the coast guard. However, the biggest impact I believe he had on everybody who knew him was the "esprit de corps" he happily extended to the innumerable coast guard personnel he had come into contact with throughout his 30+ years of service.
"Twilight and evening bell, and after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, when I embark".
"Stand down the watch, Master Chief Cook. Your shipmates now have the watch. You have honorably been relieved of your duties; rest easy in the arms of the Lord".
"Fair winds and Following seas Kent on your eternal voyage with God"
On Wednesday, August 18, 2021, Master Chief Petty Officer (HSCM) Kent E. Cook, loving husband and father of seven children, unexpectedly passed away at the age of 62.
Kent was born on December 20, 1958 in Kansas City, MO to Bill Cook and Betty (Jacobs) Cook. He enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in February of 1978. He married Susan Morris on June 2, 1978, and they raised two daughters Brandy Preston and Patricia Harris.
The couple divorced after ten years of marriage. Kent remarried on July 16, 1988; he and his second wife Doris Flynn raised three sons: Kent Jr., Marshall (Robbie), and Evan, and two daughters Amanda (Cook) Hellman and Kayla. Kent and Doris amicably divorced in 2002. Kent married his third wife, Anesha (Smith) Cook on April 12, 2016. Kent was an avid reader who loved to write poetry, play the guitar, and be outdoors with his children.
He had an immense passion for his work as a Coast Guard Health Services Technician (Corpsman); all he ever wanted to do was to help people, and he dedicated over 30 years of his life doing so. He was known for his quick wit, infectious smile, and his kind and compassionate spirit. Kent was preceded in death by his grandparents and his brother, Keith. Aside from his parents, children, and wife, he is survived by his sister Melissa (Cook) Lopez, his brother, Todd, two sons-in-law, Brian Harris and Adam Hellman, four grandchildren: Kristofer Matthews, Elizabeth Turner, Wyatt Harris, and Haylee Preston, as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service to celebrate Kent's life will be held on Saturday September 4, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the Petaluma Veterans Memorial Building, 1049 Petaluma, Blvd S, Petaluma, CA 94952
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation In Memory of HSCM Kent E. Cook to the U.S. Coast Guard Fallen Heroes Fund at: https://coastguardfoundation.salsalabs.org
Published by Press Democrat from September 1 to September 5, 2021.
Addendum by George S. P. McCall, HSC, USCG, (Ret.)
Requested by Anesha Cook, Kent's wife, and Mrs. Betty Leon, Kent's mother as a tribute to a husband, son, brother-in-arms, and a true friend to many.
Before I write my personal tribute to HSCM Cook, I want everybody who served with him in the coast guard to know that I am writing this tribute on behalf of all of you. I hope and pray that what I write about Master Chief Cook represents the same feelings that all of you have towards him. Furthermore, my wish in writing this tribute is knowing that all of you agree with what I write regarding the impact that he had on all of our lives and our coast guard careers, and that it reflects our true love for an outstanding brother-in-ams, mentor, shipmate and true friend. In essence, this tribute is your tribute as much as it is mine. I pray that I have done "good" in representing you all with my tribute to Master Chief Cook. In writing this tribute, I chose to "personalize" Master Chief Cook by using his first name, Kent, in order to be less formal in paying a tribute to a wonderful human being.
I would like to offer my condolences to Kent's wife, Anesha Cook on the loss of her dear husband Kent E. Cook. I also want to offer my condolences to Kent's immediate family, his friends, associates, acquaintances and to those who were lucky enough to have served with him in the U.S. Coast Guard. I first met Kent in 2001 when I was a Petty Officer First Class (HS1) at U.S. Coast Guard Training Center, Cape May, New Jersey. To me, Kent was the epitome of what a Coast Guard Master Chief should be. He carried himself well and was always in a sharp uniform whether he was wearing a dress uniform or ODUs. Kent was respected from the Captain of the training center down to the last recruit to step off the bus at recruit orientation. I never heard Kent yell at anybody; he didn't have to be loud because he was a big guy, and his size alone commanded respect; however, I quickly learned that the biggest thing about Kent was his heart; moreover, sometimes he would wear his heart on his sleeve. Yes, he was a sensitive leader, especially towards his HS staff. Kent was an outstanding leader who didn't hesitate to assist anybody on their way up the promotion ladder. He was passionate about his work and passed that passion on to junior personnel, instilling in me my desire to make HSC, which I did in 2004. Kent departed Cape May and headed to U.S. Coast Guard Training Center (TRACEN) Petaluma, California in late spring of 2004. After I made HSC, I asked Kent's opinion on my desire to attend the U.S. Navy's Surface Force Independent Duty Corpsman (SF-IDC) School in San Diego, CA. He encouraged me to apply for the school at a time when Chief Petty Officers with 18 years of service would normally be preparing to retire after 20 years of service. This was a pivotal time in my career. I faced many challenging decisions in which Kent helped me to focus on. During summer of 2004, I was attending the Chief Petty Officer's Academy when I was notified that I was accepted to the year-long US Navy's IDC School as well as offered a position by Kent at TRACEN Petaluma as an instructor at the USCG's new Independent Duty Health Services (IDHS) "C" School. In 2006, I ultimately found myself in Petaluma, CA once again working for Kent as an instructor. During my tenure at TRACEN Petaluma, he and I became good friends, and anytime I needed to discuss anything with him, I knew his door was always open. Now, it has been almost 12 years since I've seen Kent; we did keep in touch on Face Book, and we remained good friends. When I heard of his passing, I was stunned and saddened. Kent was a teacher, preacher, leader and mentor to many people throughout the coast guard. However, the biggest impact I believe he had on everybody who knew him was the "esprit de corps" he happily extended to the innumerable coast guard personnel he had come into contact with throughout his 30+ years of service.
"Twilight and evening bell, and after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, when I embark".
"Stand down the watch, Master Chief Cook. Your shipmates now have the watch. You have honorably been relieved of your duties; rest easy in the arms of the Lord".
"Fair winds and Following seas Kent on your eternal voyage with God"
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