J. MICHAEL COOK
May 30, 1945 to February 2, 2026
Edmond, Oklahoma

Michael's Obituary

John Michael Cook, age 80, passed away on February 2 in Oklahoma City. 

Michael, as he preferred to be called, was born in Ponca City on May 30, 1945, to loving parents John Manuel and Mary Kathryn “Kate” Cook.  His sister, Martha Kay (Cook) Denham, was seven years older than he.

Michael grew up in Oklahoma City and graduated from Northwest Classen High School in 1963.  He continued his education at the University of Oklahoma where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1968. 

Michael also served two years as an intelligence officer in the Navy taking early release as a LTJG in 1969. Michael returned to Oklahoma City and completed his MBA in marketing in 1974.  His professional career was diverse and included marketing in the bottled beverage industry (Coke, Perrier, Canada Dry), working as a Merrill Lynch stockbroker, and creating The Finer Things in Life consumer show at the Dallas Market. 

He later taught himself 4D computer programming and founded The Michaels Group in Austin, TX, as an independent IT developer.  Always quick with a quip and usually the smartest guy in the room, Michael was a member of both Mensa and Intertel and was everyone’s “go to” guy for Mac computer questions.

Through the years, Michael enjoyed sailing, scuba diving, flying his Pitts S2B aerobatic plane, golfing, and spending time with the many Schnauzers he raised over the years.  He moved back to the Oklahoma City area in his last years to be near family. 

Michael is survived by his nieces, Elizabeth Laurent (J. Pat), Ann White (Harry), his nephew, Matt Denham, great-nieces and nephews Sarah Wyckoff (Luke), Jack Laurent, Rachel Tessier (Alex), Emily McElwain (Mike) and Claire McClemore (Blake), cousin Becky Bish (Dave) and of course, his Schnauzer, Houdi. 

The family would like to thank Mike’s close friends Bob Duskin, Nat Baker, Tim Rasmussen and Michael Morehead for their ongoing support. Friends and family are invited to a celebration of life at noon on Saturday, February 21, at Covenant Community Church, Yukon.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation supporting America’s veterans.