Elton Cook

Elton Gerald Cook

Elton Gerald Cook, 91, passed away on August 26, 2025. Born on November 6, 1933, in Keating, Oregon, he dedicated his life to ranching, conservation, and family in the Keating Valley. While attending Oregon State University, Elton was drafted into military service during the Korean War. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to pursue ranching as his lifelong profession. On June 26, 1960, he married Loretta May Cook, beginning a 60-year marriage that ended with her passing in 2020.

Elton maintained a lifelong connection to the outdoors, especially the hills and mountains around his home including the southern Wallowa mountains and Eagle Cap Wilderness region. He was an accomplished outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting, and camping.

In his younger years, he worked as a guide and packer for Boulder Park Resort, later continuing to lead family expeditions into the Eagle Caps. Seasonal activities included spring mushroom foraging, summer fishing and huckleberry gathering, and fall hunting for deer and elk. He particularly looked forward to picking wild huckleberries, and he spent endless hours each summer wandering through his favorite huckleberry patches, often picking gallons of huckleberries. (Ever had one of his huckleberry pies?)

Elton maintained a large garden and orchard. He spent many hours preserving the fruits and vegetables that he grew, often cajoling his family to take some of the harvested food. He easily canned over 100 jars of pickles, peaches, apricots, cherries, and other fruits each year. His mincemeat pies were a culinary delight, and he gave away sacks of walnuts to friends and neighbors.

One of his favorite activities was the neighborhood potluck and pinochle card party on Saturday nights at the fire station. He loved to play cards and was quite good at it.

His dedication to conservation and preserving the ranch extended to public service through participation on various county conservation committees. He and Loretta received recognition as the 2007 Outstanding Conservationists of the Year for their environmental stewardship efforts. 

Elton is survived by his son Michael Cook and Michael's wife Cathy, along with their children: Travis Cook (married to Krista) and their children Nathan and Leah; and Cody Cook Jury (married to Tom Jury) and their children Beckett, Paxton, and Hartleigh. He is also survived by his daughter Cindy Lenhart and her husband Clark Williams, along with their children: David Lenhart (married to Becca) and their children Octavia and Augustus; and  Whitney Lenhart and her partner Trevor George. He is also survived by his sister, Hildreth Jacobs and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life for both Elton and Loretta will be held Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 12:00 pm at Copper Belt Winery in Keating.

Elton's legacy continues through his environmental stewardship, his family, and his contributions to the rural community he served throughout his life. “On to it, there!”

     In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Keating Rural Fire Department through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834.  Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com