Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and longtime friend, James Howard Cook, age 76, peacefully returned to his Heavenly Father on December 9, 2020, at his home.

Howard was born in Price, Utah June 4th, 1944, to Kenneth and Pearl Cook. He was the youngest of five boys. He married his high school sweetheart Shirley Nelson and together, they raised 5 kids.

Howard spent his younger years on the Reservation in Boneta, Utah, and later moved back to Price. He attended Carbon High School, where friends will remember him as an all-around athlete who excelled at baseball and football. Vietnam interfered with his opportunities to play at the next level as he was drafted after graduation to serve his country.

Howard was a true outdoorsman. He loved spending time with his family camping, hunting, four-wheeling, and his favorite, of course, was fishing (even when it required him to spend the majority of his time unsnagging lines and baiting hooks for his little girls). After he retired, he started a new hobby of trapping with his son George. The highlight of our camping trips was sitting around the campfire, telling stories and laughing until our stomachs hurt. Howard had a sense of humor that could make anyone laugh.

Howard shared his love for sports with his family and treasured the time spent watching and cheering on his grandchildren in all of their sporting events and activities. He spent many hours teaching them everything he could no matter what they were involved in. It seemed he had a wealth of knowledge for it all. It was a rare occasion that his kids and grandkids did not receive a call or text saying how much he loved them.

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He honorably served his country in the US Army during Vietnam.  He worked 30 years in the coalmine and eventually retired from Andalex Resources.

Howard loved his family and was an excellent dad, husband, and grandfather. He adored his wife and was rarely was seen without her by his side. He never missed an opportunity to brag about his children and grandchildren; he was so proud of them. He loved nothing more than being surrounded by his family. He will leave an endless list of memories that will be treasured for a lifetime. He was loved by all who knew him and will be dearly missed.

Howard is survived by his wife, Shirley Cook, Price; one son and four daughters, George Cook, Price, Terina Cook, Salt Lake City, Vickie Jensen, Park City, Carla (Joe) Tryon, Price, Kim (Ron) Williams, Price; brother, Ron (Carol) Cook, Price; special friend, Rick (Debbie) Campbell, Delta, CO; 10 grandchildren, Tyler and Deven, Kimberly and Jessica, Michael, Seth and Taylor, Sierra (Forrest), Ronni and Kennedy; two great-grandchildren, Casyn and Treydon.

Preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Caleb Williams; and three brothers, Bill, Jay, and George Cook.

Funeral service, Tuesday, December 15, 2020, 11:00 a.m., Price Stake Center (150 South 500 East) in Price. The family will receive friends at Mitchell Funeral Home Monday evening from 5:00-7:00 p.m. and at the church Tuesday one hour prior to service. Interment, Cliffview Cemetery, Price. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home, where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net