Michael "Mike" Cook

Wichita - Cook, Michael “Mike” Edward

72, passed away Sunday, July 7th, 2024. He was born December 17th, 1951 to Edward R. Cook and Catherine Hafenstine Cook in Great Bend, Kansas.

Background: In the summer of 1980, Mike met the “love of his life”, Sharla. They married April 10, 1981. Their son, Chasen, was born a year and a half later, joining Mike’s other sons from his first marriage. Their union spanned 43 years and 3 months. Over this time period, Mike’s family grew to include his sons, daughters-in-law, and their children. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Employment: Mike grew up in Great Bend, Kansas, graduating from Great Bend High School in 1969, having made many close friendships. Mike worked in a variety of employment, including Dove Buick, and Elliott Pontiac in Great Bend. He worked as a CNC Lathe Operator at Great Bend Industries, and as a Production Supervisor at Semco, Inc. in Great Bend. In 1994, he and his family moved to Salina, KS beginning employment with Exline, Inc. In 1997, Mike took a transfer with Exline, Inc. to work at Southwest Manufacturing, Inc. in Wichita, KS as a Production Manager, Project Manager and Acting General Manager. The family lived in Valley Center for 16 years, then moved to Wichita in 2014. He went worked for Brittain Machine, Inc. (Project Manager) and Wend-Wood (Project Manager), lastly working for BG Products, Inc. in Wichita in 2005 as a Production Manager of Tools and Equipment. He retired from BG in March of 2020. Even in retirement, he couldn’t stay away from his love of wheels, and began working part- time at the Walser Auto Group in Wichita, Kansas, beginning in November 2023 delivering and picking up new and used vehicles for the various dealerships.

Hobbies and Interests: Mike had a love for cars, motorcycles, and virtually anything having to do with wheels. He enjoyed classic car and restored a 1967 Buick Gran Sport. As a spectator, he also enjoyed drag racing and NASCAR racing. He loved to “tinker” with cars and was a pretty impressive mechanic himself, many times fixing or enhancing the variety of vehicles he owned during his lifetime. As a teen, he was exposed to motorcycles through his father’s love of cycles, starting with owning a Kawasaki, then transitioning to owning his first Honda Gold Wing. He finally realized his dream of owning his first Harley Davidson, a Silver and Blue HD Ultra Limited. During his life, he passed his love of “wheels” on to his sons and grandchildren, as all of them love cars and/or motorcycles themselves.

Throughout the years, Mike formed many friendships from his graduating class in Great Bend to the friendships made at every workplace along the way. Mike had a wonderful sense of humor, which was shared many times with his friends and family, and on social media.

Mike’s love for music, movies, and DIY projects throughout the years was shared with his wife, Sharla. From dozens of LIVE rock concerts to action-adventure movies (and an occasional “chick flick”) to helping his wife with decorating or home projects, they enjoyed these and other shared interests together.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Catherine Cook; and his step-mother, Jackie Cook

Michael is survived by his wife, Sharla Cook; children, William "Bill" (Tina) Cook, Chasen (Ashlee) Cook; grandchildren, Taylor, Aubrey, Blake (Parker, Co), Willow, Adalyn, Emilee, Collin (Gardner, KS); siblings, Susan Sanders, Cheri Eastridge-Martinez, and Pete Gross.

Visitation, gathering of family and friends: Thursday, July 25th, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Celebration of Life: Friday, July 26th, 2024 at 11:00 am both at Smith Family Mortuary, Derby 1415 North Rock Road Derby, Kansas 67037.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Wichita Toy Run Association or Kansas Humane Society.