Paul Franklin Cook

Paul Franklin Cook passed away peacefully on February 15, 2025, at 88, surrounded by loved ones. Paul was born in March of 1936, in Price, Utah, to Margaret Iva and Merrill Eugene Cook. The second of four children, he was raised alongside his siblings Don, Barbara (Saunders), and Myrlene (Thorpe).

From a young age, Paul demonstrated a deep love of learning, an appreciation for family, and a strong faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Losing his father at the age of twelve was a defining moment in his life. In the years following this loss, Paul’s mother, Margaret, worked tirelessly to support the family, instilling resilience and a profound work ethic in him.

Paul graduated from Logan High School and attended Utah State University (USU), where his thirst for knowledge was nurtured by institute teachers, including his uncle Wilford Richards. Paul served a two-year mission in the East Central States Mission, presided over by his uncle, M. Ross Richards.

Upon returning, Paul completed his bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in history at USU and was a member of the ROTC. Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, he trained at Fort Benning and Fort Holabird before serving in Würzburg, Germany, with the 3rd Infantry Division’s G2 section, where he specialized in intelligence work during the Cold War. After nearly two years of service, he left the Army to teach seminary briefly in Cedar City, Utah. He then pursued a master's degree in School Psychology, followed by a doctorate in Educational Psychology at Brigham Young University (BYU).

In 1964, Paul married Jan Kurtz in the Logan Temple, and together, they had four sons: Randall (Randy), John, Gregory (Greg), and Joseph (Joe). He cherished fatherhood, striving to show his boys love, patience, and faithfulness. 

Paul’s career included teaching, conducting educational research, and developing testing centers in Africa (Botswana and Swaziland) with the American Institutes for Research (AIR), and ultimately serving as a professor at BYU in the David O. McKay Institute and the Department of Elementary Education.

Later in life, Paul and Jan divorced. During this period, he relied on his faith and the support of family and close friends. He returned to Africa on a second AIR educational work project. In 2002, he married Connie Blakemore, a BYU Health and Human Performance professor. Their union brought new joy, adventures, and opportunities for church service, including work in China, humanitarian service in Zimbabwe, guiding the Tiberias Branch, and serving at the BYU Jerusalem Center in the Holy Land.

Throughout his life, Paul remained steadfast in his faith, emphasizing the importance of prayer, hard work, and trusting in the Lord’s guidance. He believed in learning from every experience, setting goals, and pressing forward with hope. Ever the adventurer and scholar, he was known for his gentle humor, genuine kindness, and willingness to serve.

Paul is survived by his four sons, Randy (Janette), John (Karen), Greg (Julie), and Joe (Melissa), many cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren, his former wife, Jan Cook, and his sisters, Barbara Saunders (Reed) and Myrlene Thorpe (Tim).

He was preceded in death by his wife, Connie Blakemore Cook, his parents, Margaret and Merrill Cook, and his brother, Don Cook, and is now joyfully reunited with them.

A viewing for family and friends will be held on Thursday, February 20th, from 6-8 pm at Wheeler-Sundberg Funeral Home, 495 South State Street, Orem. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 21, 2025, at 11:00 am at Wheeler-Sundberg Funeral Home, with a viewing held that morning from 9:30 am-10:30 am prior to the services. Burial will be in the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery, 500 North 100 West, Pleasant Grove. 

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to a favorite charity or a humanitarian fund, reflecting Paul’s lifelong commitment to service.

Paul’s family extends heartfelt thanks to all who have offered love, support, and friendship throughout his life. He leaves a legacy of faith, perseverance, and devotion that uplifts and inspires those who knew and loved him.

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.

For those unable to attend the services in person, they can be viewed via YouTube Live, on Friday, February 21, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLS0ZDA5sNE