Wahkiakum Eagle-July 1998 COOK, Lester C. Age 86, of Skamokawa, died at home. He was born in Grays River to William and Hattie (Urbaniak) Cook, and moved to Skamokawa in 1946, living there the rest of his life. He worked in the logging industry, working for Eastern-Western, Weyerhaeuser, Ray Mooers Logging, Ben Thomas Logging, and for himself in the late 1950's and early 1960's, when he owned a logging company. He then worked for Crown Zellerbach, where he retired in the late 1960's. He also had a dairy farm and raised beef cattle until the late 1970's. After that, he repaired equipment for himself and others until his death. He enjoyed his family and friends. He also liked fishing, dancing, telling logging tales, and doing volunteer work in the community. He was a lifetime member of the Longview Elks, belonged to the United Methodist Church in Skamokawa, was chairman of the Diking District Board for Skamokawa for many years, and was a member of the Friends of Skamokawa. His wife, Ann Cook, died in 1984. He was also preceded in death by a son, Darrell Cook; six sisters and four brothers. Survivors include a daughter, Shirley Forquer of Homer, Alaska; a son, Howard Cook of Chelatchie; his partner in life, Betsy O'Conner of Skamokawa; two sisters, Stella Hamrick of Cathlamet and Agnes Simpson of Seattle; two granddaughters; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services were Wednesday at the United Methodist Church of Skamokawa with Dr. Bob Corlett officiating. Dowling Funeral Home was in charge. Fern Hill Cemetery-Skamokawa, Wa. 06 Apr 1912-25 Jul 1998 (As transcribed by the Wahkiakum County Historical Society 2005 from original newspaper collection.)