James M. "Mike" Cook, 63, peacefully went to be with his Lord and Savior July 23, 2014.

Mike, son of James & Alice (Miller) Cook, was born in Rolla, MO Jan. 18, 1951. He graduated from Smithville, MO High school in 1970. He worked for 30+ years at Western Container in KCMO, where he grew to know and love the Vietnamese workers and their culture. Mike enjoyed cooking for others and enjoyed in the preparation and serving of a meal once a month with the Grace Evangelical Church at the downtown food kitchen in St Joseph, MO.

He married Twila S Chenoweth May 20th, 2004. Together, they enjoyed their passion for motorcycles. They rode many back roads of Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa and Nebraska, enjoying God's beauty and meeting the many wonderful people God would put in their path. Mike also loved the many great times he got to spend with his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; James Elroy and Alice L Cook, infant daughter; Christina Marie, and sister; Sandra Tompkins.
Survivors include: his wife Twila; two daughters, Kelly Cook of New Orleans, LA & Tracy Gardner, of KCMO; son in law Micah Gardner and grandchildren Judah James and Sienna Marie of KCMO; step sons, Donnie Ball and William Ball of King City, MO.; step grandchildren, Cody, Chloe and Caden Ball and Natalee Ball; sister and brother in law, Rhonda and Ira Crumbaugh of Marshall, MO; and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be at Grace Evangelical Church in St. Joseph, MO on Saturday, Aug 2, 2014 at 11 a.m. Mike will be laid to rest at White Chapel Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Mike's name to Open Door Food Kitchen or Grace House, both of St. Joseph, MO. Mail to Grace Evangelical Church, 5301 SE St Hwy FF, St. Joseph, MO 64507.