(Feb. 9, 1921 - Feb. 24, 2002) A former Powell bank president, George E. Cooke, died Sunday, Feb. 24 at Sandhills Manor Nursing Home in Broken Bow, Neb., after a long illness. He was 81.He served as the first president of the American National Bank in Powell in 1963. He was president of the Wyoming Bankers Association in 1979 and finished his banking career in Ogden, Utah.He was born Feb. 9, 1921, in Buffalo. He was graduated from high school in Midwest and earned a degree in agriculture at the University of Wyoming in 1947.Mr. Cooke served in the U.S. Army during World War II, with service in the South Pacific.On June 6, 1947, he married Marina Carlin in Scottsbluff, Nebr. His family writes that his first love was always that of being a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Close behind were his passions for golf, skiing, racquetball, playing cards, traveling, attending his grandson's hockey and soccer matches and his undying support for the Denver Broncos.Survivors include his wife Marina of Broken Bow; one daughter, Judy Lindner and husband Lonnie of Ansley, Neb.; one son, Brec Cooke of Naples, Fla.; three grandchildren and one great-grandson.A memorial service is scheduled Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Sandhills Manor Chapel in Broken Bow. A memorial has been established for the selected needs and desires of the residents of Sandhills Manor.

(Feb. 9, 1921 - Feb. 24, 2002)

A former Powell bank president, George E. Cooke, died Sunday, Feb. 24 at Sandhills Manor Nursing Home in Broken Bow, Neb., after a long illness. He was 81.

He served as the first president of the American National Bank in Powell in 1963. He was president of the Wyoming Bankers Association in 1979 and finished his banking career in Ogden, Utah.

He was born Feb. 9, 1921, in Buffalo. He was graduated from high school in Midwest and earned a degree in agriculture at the University of Wyoming in 1947.

Mr. Cooke served in the U.S. Army during World War II, with service in the South Pacific.

On June 6, 1947, he married Marina Carlin in Scottsbluff, Nebr.

His family writes that his first love was always that of being a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Close behind were his passions for golf, skiing, racquetball, playing cards, traveling, attending his grandson's hockey and soccer matches and his undying support for the Denver Broncos.

Survivors include his wife Marina of Broken Bow; one daughter, Judy Lindner and husband Lonnie of Ansley, Neb.; one son, Brec Cooke of Naples, Fla.; three grandchildren and one great-grandson.

A memorial service is scheduled Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Sandhills Manor Chapel in Broken Bow. A memorial has been established for the selected needs and desires of the residents of Sandhills Manor.