Thomas Leo Cook

Tom Cook passed away at home surrounded by his loving family.

Tom was born on October 22, 1955, in Morris, Minnesota, and grew up on a farm in Chokio, Minnesota, alongside his parents, Perry and Pearl, and his sisters, Carol, June, and Bonnie. The values of hard work, humor, and looking out for others were planted early and stayed with him for the rest of his life.

At the age of 20, Tom married his best friend and the love of his life, Laurie. At 25, they headed west and made their home in Gillette, Wyoming, where they built a life rooted in family, faith, and friendships.

Tom wore many hats—husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, farmer, friend, and for 32 years, a coal miner, as well as a volunteer firefighter and faithful member of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church. When he wasn’t working, you could usually find him restoring antique tractors in the shop, woodworking, fishing, gardening, birdwatching, or cheering on the Vikings, often all in the same day.

Tom’s greatest love story was the life he shared with his wife, Laurie. In December, they celebrated 50 years of marriage—a milestone that reflected a lifetime of partnership, devotion, laughter, and the simple, everyday moments they treasured most. Whether it was sunrise coffee, late-night stargazing, or quiet walks together, their bond was the steady center of Tom’s world. One of his favorite phrases to his wife was a simple and constant, “Love you more.”

He cherished early mornings watching the sunrise and late nights stargazing with Laurie, always eager to check off the next small wonder—like spotting the northern lights. He also had a quiet, spiritual connection to owls, believing they had a way of showing up during hard times to bring peace and reassurance to those around him.

Tom was known for his quick wit and playful pranks. If he teased you, it meant you were loved. He had a deep care for the people in his life.

At 30, Tom was diagnosed with Hairy-Cell Leukemia. Over the next 40 years, he moved in and out of remission, but he never let cancer define his life. Instead, it gave him a reason to live it fully, like every day was a gift and every moment mattered.

He found joy in the simple things: fishing and camping trips, side-by-side adventures, antiquing, Sunday drives, Harley rides, collecting rocks, and exploring old ghost towns. He loved morning coffee, cold beer with friends, throwing a ball for his dogs, birdwatching, and (sometimes) sharing desserts—especially cinnamon bears—with anyone willing to indulge. Above all, he treasured time with his grandchildren, taking pride in watching them grow and finding new ways to make them laugh.

Tom’s greatest legacy was the way he loved. He put his family first, no matter what he was facing. He lived in a way that reminded everyone around him not to wait to enjoy life, but to step into it fully, right now.

He is survived by his wife Laurie; son Terry and his wife Michelle; son Mike and his wife Gina; daughter Amy and her husband Rob; grandchildren Kaci, Briley, Logan, Tanner, Cooper, Luke, Violet, and James; great-grandchildren Addalynn and Emery; his sisters Carol, June, and Bonnie; and a wide circle of friends who felt more like family.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on January 31, 2026  at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Gillette, Wyoming, followed by a reception and celebration of Tom’s life at the Bell Nob Golf Course facility.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Cancer Care Committee in Tom’s honor.

Tom Cook lived a life full of laughter, curiosity, kindness, and love—and the world is better for the time he spent in it.