COOK, James E. (Jim)

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona Wednesday, January, 18, 2012 James E. “Jim” Cook, author of 10 books about Arizona, died Jan. 10, in Wickenburg surrounded by family and friends. Cook always claimed Peoria, Ariz., as his hometown, but he was actually born at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix. He graduated from Flagstaff High School in 1953 and received a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State College at Flagstaff (now Northern Arizona University) in 1958. Cook worked 32 years for the “Arizona Republic.” His happiest years were spent roaming the state, gathering articles for “Arizona,” the newspaper’s rotogravure magazine. He also wrote many free-lance magazine articles. In 1981, Cook received from NAU and the Associated Press the Robert R. Eunson Alumni Achievement Award in Journalism. In 2005, Cook and his brother songwriter Dean Cook were named Arizona Culturekeepers for their part in keeping alive the lore and history of Arizona. After retirement, he claimed the title of “Official Arizona State Liar,” and founded the Wickenburg Institute for Factual Diversity. His “Journal of Prevarication” found many readers on the Internet. Cook’s 10th book, “Half a Sack of Cats,” was published in 2011. It tells the story of Cook’s being dragged from pillar to post in Arizona as it existed in the 1940s. He is survived by his wife Eleanore Hartz Cook; children Julie Burgit (Richard), Kenneth Cook (Joanne) and Kevin Cook; sister Wanda Martin and brother Dean Cook; grandchildren Jessica Collins, Jennifer Wullkotte, Jacqueline Zawacky, Seth Wullkotte, and Chandler Cook; and great-grandchildren Liam, Iris, and Lelah Garrigan and Jazlyn, Jayla and Patrick Zawacky, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Cook was predeceased by his parents Kenneth and Ruby Cook of Yarnell, Ariz.; and his first wife Jerry Trammell Cook. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at Deer Valley Church, 29th Avenue and Greenway, in Phoenix. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Friends of the Wickenburg Public Library or the Wickenburg Humane Society.