Cook remembered for love of game

Jeff Cook, who was known for his strong love of baseball and great passion for volunteer work in Costa Mesa, died Dec. 15.

Cook, a former Costa Mesa High baseball assistant coach and player, was also a umpire for District 62 Little League and demonstrated tireless work for learning his craft and teaching others.

Four years ago, he moved to Prescott Valley, Ariz., where he continued to work as an official and was an umpire in chief for Arizona’s District 10 Little League in Yavapai County, according to the Daily Courier.

The newspaper reported Cook, 58, died of a heart attack.

There was a memorial service for him on Saturday. There is talk that a memorial service could take place in Costa Mesa in the coming days or weeks.

The Daily Courier reported, Cook is survived by his wife Debra and son Chris of Prescott Valley; mother Shirley Cook of Seattle; younger sister Teri Eneix; and nephews Brian and Jeremy Cook.

As an umpire, Jeff Cook worked in the Little League Majors West Regional Tournament championship in San Bernardino this past summer, the Daily Courier reported.

He was one of 14 officials in the Western United States selected. The regional tournament is the final step before the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.

“You only get to do the Region or [Little League] World Series once,” Cook told the Daily Courier in late July. “It’s going to be the experience of a lifetime.”