James Cooke

James was born Sept 8, 1970, in Long Beach, California to Thomas and Aileen “Joan” Cooke. James was the youngest of 3 siblings, older brother John and older sister Elizabeth (Stanton). James graduated from Gahr High School in Cerritos, California. After high school James joined the United States Navy where he spent time in the Mediterranean and then went to become a Navy Corpsman. After his time in the Navy James went to attend College at Cerritos College before reenlisting into the United States Army. In 1998 James was stationed in Fort Riley, Kansas doing mechanical work for the Army and while stationed in Kansas, James welcomed his daughter, Samantha. James was released from active duty in 2002 into the reserves. While in the reserve James was deployed and served two tours in Iraq. After serving in Iraq and still enlisted in the reserves, James moved to Waco, before transferring to the College Station area. James retired from the military in College Station and moved back to Waco to be closer to family and loved ones and work for Waco Transit. 

In his younger years James enjoyed sailing off the California Coast to Catalina Island with his brother and father and playing football. He enjoyed playing soldiers from a very young age and that is what lead him to his military career. James loved being around the water and was a certified scuba diver and went fishing any chance he could. James loved his daughter, Samantha, and they spent many hours riding motorcycles and sightseeing.

James was preceded in death by his wife, Rebecca “Becki” Cooke, and Father Thomas Cooke.

James is survived by daughter, Samantha Cooke, Mother Joan Cooke, brother John Cooke and sister Elizabeth Stanton.