Ronald Earl Cook

Ron was born to loving parents Earl and Ann Cook on June 8, 1942, in Torrance, CA and had two younger brothers, Michael and David. Ron was a good student and enjoyed sports and outdoor activities. He played football in high school and enjoyed many other sports throughout his life. He also loved cars and built a Model A as a teenager. Ron met his future wife Sherry while in high school. They married in 1961 and remained married until his passing. They started their family at age 20 and had four kids by age 26. During that time, Ron worked full time at Good Year and attended college full time to earn his BA in Business.

Ron’s early career included stints at Mattel, Salk Institute and Korn Ferry. He and a great friend then launched Franciscan Developments in 1973, and Ron later continued with his own company, Ronald E Cook and Co., until he retired. He ended his successful career doing executive search for large real estate corporations. Ron was, and still is, admired and respected by his former business partners, associates, and employees. Some of his best long-term friendships came from those work relationships.

Ron was known for his wanderlust… initially chasing the work opportunities and later to find greener pastures, including Santa Barbara and Mexico. He and Sherry got to see a fair bit of the world before he became ill. The last decade of his life was impacted by heart failure. Ron was one of the first recipients of an LVAD at Scripps hospital. He did so well that he was asked to be an ambassador for the program, which he did for several years. The last year of his life was spent in Chico, CA to be near his and Sherry’s daughter, Angela.

Ron was pre-deceased by his three sons, Rich, Ron and Don and his brother, David. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sherry, daughter Angela, brother Michael, grandchildren Ryan, Arianna, Ashley, Mira and Jordan, and great-granddaughter Avery. Ron was a good father and an even better grandfather. He had a good, full life and will be forever missed. To contact family, email angela.cook.arts@gmail.com