HUNTER ROYCE COOK - 27, Ventura
September 29, 1985
Hunter Cook ended one journey and began another on Tuesday, August 27, 2013. After a hard fought life long battle with fragile bones, Hunter succumbed to injuries and complications of major emergency surgery.
A Ventura native, Hunter grew up in rural Ventura County, attending Fillmore schools where he graduated at age 16. From 2002-2006, he attended college while working as a student worker for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. He then took employment with a procurement contractor and worked his way up to purchasing manager for government related business, primarily for the Department of Defense and related agencies.
Hunter was best known as a gifted musician in school and later socially and commercially. He was first released with the band Ten Cents’ CD, “Straight from the Orange Grove Ghettos” while still in high school. That early effort enjoyed regional support and air play in the U.S. and Canada. Later, Hunter and friends had two releases as the band End Transmission that played to national audiences.
More recently, Hunter took up playing pool as a hobby and became a team captain for both 8 Ball and 9 Ball teams in league competition. He led his current team to become South Coast Regional Champions and to compete at the national level, finishing in the top 7% of national competition qualifiers.
A True Blue Dodger Fan, Hunter was frequently seen wearing his favorite team’s colors and he attended Dodger games with friends and family as often as he could.
Hunter is survived by his parents, Jesse Cook of Canton, North Carolina and Susan Royce DiMaio of Oak View, sister Jessica Cook Milasich of Canyon Country, brothers Michael Gould of Gages Lake, Illinois, Jay Cook of Salem, Oregon, grandparents James and Constance Turner of Sunnyvale, California, Grandmother Nancy Royce of Virginia, as well as several aunts and uncles, nieces, nephews, dozens of cousins, and hundreds upon hundreds of friends.
Hunter was a rock star and an inspiration in fun, fearlessness, creativity, achievement, and compassion. He lived more in his short time on Earth than most ever will.
Family and Friends are invited to attend Memorial Services Tuesday September 3, 2013 at 10AM in the Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home 757 E. Main Street Ventura 93001.