Fairfax, CA

John Phillip Cook passed away from urothelial cancer in the early morning hours of the Spring equinox, March 20, 2026.

John was born in Rockford, Illinois on September 20, 1952, to Howard and Marion (Davis) Cook. He graduated from Rockford East High School and attended the University of Illinois in Champaign before following his best friends westward to California. John found his true calling when he enrolled in San Jose State University and earned a degree in Environmental Studies leading to a 40-year career working as a self-employed partner at Utility Management Services.

John resided in the Bay Area for over 40 years, living for many years in the San Geronimo Valley with his first wife Elly Simmons and raising the light of his life, his daughter Maralisa. He then resided in the Ross Valley with his partner Carin Wethington and her two children until her passing. He finally settled in Fairfax where he made loving home together with his second wife, Jennifer Rienks.

His passions included music, gardening, astronomy, hiking, traveling, the Grateful Dead, and most of all spending time with friends and family. John was an easy-going and kind man with a big heart and a great sense of humor. He loved making new friends and helping people and will be missed by all those who were fortunate enough to have known and been loved by him.

John is survived by his wife Jennifer, his daughter Maralisa Simmons-Cook (Max Schieble), stepdaughters Katherine Wethington and Meghan Rienks, stepson Luke Wethington, his sister Marianne Nelson (Scott), nephews Graham Nelson and Ty Cook, sister-in-law Fran Cook, best friends Greg and Linda Kannall, and, many other close and loving friends. John was predeceased by his parents and older brothers Thomas and James Cook.

A Celebration of John’s life will be held at 1 PM on June 6th at the Fairfax Community Church.

May the four winds blow you safely home.