James (Jim) passed away on Friday, June 28, 2024  in the home he built and shared with his wife, Terri.

James Arthur Cook Jr was born Oct. 19, 1955 to James Sr. (Art) and Mabel Cook in Sedro – Woolley, WA; “back when the hospital was by the old library,” as he liked to say. Jim grew up in Hamilton. He attended the Hamilton grade school and graduated from Sedro – Woolley High School in 1974. He spent his entire life in the Skagit Valley. He began working in the timber industry when he was just fifteen. He started with a timber salvage contract, then worked as a choker setter, and eventually as an expert timber faller. He spent most of his life working in the woods. As a young man, Jim loved classic cars. He enjoyed racing and getting into mischief. One of his first cars somehow ended up at the bottom of Lake Tyee. He treasured his last classic car, a pink & white 1958 Ford Edsel Convertible.

Jim met his best friend, Terri, at the Lyman Baptist Church. They were married on April 2, 1988. They spent their honeymoon bidding for a timber job. Terri always ran the compass for him. They were partners in every aspect of life. Together, they operated Cook Salvage, logging with helicopters. He owned a cedar shake mill, Arlo Cedar, in Hamilton with his dad, Art. Jim spent much of his career managing land he accumulated as part of his logging enterprise. He developed some of those properties into residential lots and managed the natural resources on the rest. One year, Jim took a wild hair to sign up for the election, he told no one but still won 58% of the vote! He spent the next twelve years serving his community as a Skagit County PUD commissioner and member of the Skagit County Board of Government. Jim was extremely competent: whether it involved mechanics, running heavy equipment, building infrastructure, land development, or generally getting things done. He was a larger-than-life man.

Jim and Terri shared a passion for the outdoors, they loved hunting, especially for big bull elk! Terri was always at his side, his personal guide. He used his hunting trips as mission field to share the gospel. They spent many years together packing into the mountains with their horses. Jim and Terri’s passion for the outdoors found a home at their ranch in Okanogan. Together, they built Raider roads, checked trail cameras, and looked for the wildlife.

Jim found great joy in his daughter, Jordan, who is cut from the same cloth as he was. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge with her while homeschooling, hunting, and adventuring. Later in life, he was equally delighted with his grandchildren. They filled his life with joy and love, especially during his last months.

Jim also had the privilege of raising a son, Shawn, who came into his life in a roundabout way. They shared all of life’s big moments together and many adventures. Their daily phone calls were filled with fatherly wisdom. Jim taught his son how to hunt and fish, but most importantly, what it means to know Jesus.

Jim’s faith in Jesus was his greatest priority. He attended the Lyman Baptist Church for forty-three years. In 1999, God called him to be a hunter of souls. He followed that calling as an elder/pastor at Lyman Baptist Church. During that time, he had the privilege of baptizing 57 people. At first, he was afraid to preach but he loved to study the Word of God and after a few years, became very comfortable preaching each Sunday.

Jim battled an aggressive pancreatic cancer for the last four months of his life. During this time, he was privileged to baptize fourteen souls, one of which he spent forty years praying for. Jim said, “If they come to Christ through my suffering, it will be worth it.” He shared his faith in Christ with every doctor, nurse, and fellow patient he met along the way.

Jim is survived by his wife, Terri; daughter, Jordan and her husband Shane Turner; grandchildren Eva and Clyde Turner; a son, Shawn Welcome; his mother, Mabel; and siblings: Frank Cook, Sherry Black, and Alesia Van Pelt.  He was preceded in death by his father, Art and his brother, Jeff.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00PM, on July 7, 2024 at the Lyman Baptist Church, with a graveside at the Lyman Cemetery and reception to follow. Share your memories of Jim and sign the online guest register.