1961

Michael Levern Cook was born on 17 Feb 1961 a child of Jimmy Levern Cook and Peggy Branham Cook Bowie.

1986

When he was 25, he married Margaret “Margo” Jackson on 24 Oct 1986.

2024

He died on 02 Mar 2024 in Lugoff, Kershaw, South Carolina, USA.

Obituary of Michael Levern Cook

Michael Levern Cook, 63, of Lugoff, SC, born February 17, 1961, to Jimmy L. Cook and Peggy Branham Cook Bowie, sadly passed away Saturday, March 02, 2024. Married to Margaret Jackson Cook (Margo) October 24, 1986. Brother to Teresa Cook Little (George) of Camden and Joey Cook (Ginny) of Charleston, SC. Mike has two sons, Matthew Michael Cook (Chelsea) and Mark Mackenzie Cook and Twin granddaughters Mila Michelle and Maylee Sara, age 5. Nieces, Meredith Little Floyd (Will) and Tiffany Yeoman (Eugene) and nephew, Corey Cook.

Mike attended local Camden schools and became a proud member of the Lunch Bunch Crew. These guys have stayed friends threw high school, college, marriages, children and golf, holding a golf retreat every year that they look forward to with an imaginary trophy and bragging rights until the next years golf retreat.

Mike was a proud Camden Bulldog, serving in the Scarlett Regiment Band as 1^st Chair Trumpet. Mike enjoyed playing Kershaw County Rec. Baseball and football with his dad as his coach. In high school he joined the Camden Baseball Team pitching the only perfect game in Camden High School History – April of 1979 earning him a full baseball scholarship with the Eagles of Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC.

Mike served as a baseball coach for Kershaw County Recreation Department from 1987 to 2010. He loved the Dixie Youth Age mentoring many baseball pitchers including his son, Matthew. The family asks any former players of Coach Cook to attend his memorial and sign a baseball in his memory.

Mike was a member of Camden Jaycees working every Camden and Colonial Cup Horse Race. He chaired the Christmas Fund and pitched for the Jaycees Power Tool Softball team.

Mike became a member of the Who’s Who Worldwide Platinum Edition 1992/1993 as Project Supervisor at Kennicott Ridgeway Gold Mine. While at Ridgeway Mike served as shift supervisor in 1988 to 1989. On March 10, 1989, Cook was promoted to Mine Supervisor. While at Ridgeway Mike was also promoted March 16, 1994 to Project manager over All Gold production control. Mike stayed with Ridgeway until closing and joined Martin Marietta of NC in January 2000. He celebrated 24 years in Granite with Martin Marietta of NC this year. Through his years in granite, he was assistant supervisor at Kershaw Pink Quarry and helped cut Elvis Presley’s Tombstone from their Pink Granite there. He was a plant manager at Bethune Sand and Jefferson Granite. Also serving as Plant manager at Edgefield Quarry in Charleston, SC. Returning to Columbia in 2019 to 2024 Cook became plant manager at North Columbia quarry on Monticello Road. Mike is a member of the bureau  of Alcohol, Tobacco, firearms and explosives as a licensed blaster in the state of South Carolina holding his license since 1988.

While at Ridgeway Gold Mine, Mike earned the nickname Fred Flintstone at the Rock Quarry. His coal black hair and loyalty to stone and the job, he carried with great pride. His assistant shift manager was a short blonde they called Barney. Fred and Barney carried their nicknames while there and could handle every piece of Quarry equipment except the dinosaur.

Michael was a master SC shagger loving all Beach Music and teaching many family members shagging to keep it alive. He insisted everyone knowing a few steps especially the pretzel. Next year we will celebrate 25 years at our special beach with Michaels Beach Music and shagging beach steps.

Mike loved collecting Antique Corvettes. His favorite two- the Cocky 7 and his beloved Ragtop 1, a 72 Stingray were his pride and joy. He could often be seen riding Markie Mark through town with beach music blasting and the top back enjoying a summer day.

Mike was an avid Gamecock fan and sports fanatic. He enjoyed darts, shooting pool, baseball, golf and playing cards. His favorite was poker and spades intimidating many family members to play, better just to get a seat at his table. He was a Season Gamecock Ticket holder and their Biggest Fan. Wearing a Gamecock “Visor” everywhere he went daily. His second love was Golf. To play daily was his future dream. In the past he was Green Hill Golf Club Champion in 2001 and again in 2005. He was Flight Champion in 2004. He was Low Gross Runnerup in 1999 and Champion in 2002. To say Mike was a sports fan is an understatement.

The Lunch Bunch Crew, high school friends will serve as pallbearers with many thanks from Mikes family. Those attending are as follows, Johnny Deal, Howard Lamar, Lach Zemp, Chad Larrabee, David Waldkirch, Joseph Williams, Marshall Reu and Rickie Tiller.

In Michaels heart, he always considered these good friends honorary brothers and spoke of them fondly on many occasions. To be carried in friendship is the ultimate goal of brotherhood. Thank you is not enough.

The family would like to extend a hearfelt thank you to Robin at Elgin Rehab and Corena at Karesh Beechwood for their kindness and care shown to Michael during his time there. You will never be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in honor of Mike Cook and his son Mark Cook to the SC Autism Society, 80 6- 12^th Street, West Columbia, SC 29169.

VISITATION

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
Powers Funeral Home
832 Ridgeway Rd
Lugoff, South Carolina, United States
803-408-8711

FUNERAL SERVICE

11:00 am
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Powers Funeral Home
832 Ridgeway Rd
Lugoff, South Carolina, United States
803-408-8711

BURIAL

Forest Lawn Memorial Park
1659 Kershaw Highway
Camden, South Carolina, United States