Apple Valley, Utah - Leland Eugene Cook was born November 7, 1922 to Louis Leland Cook and Annette Parker Cook. "Bud" as he was affectionately known by his family and friends, passed away at his home on October 5, 2010. A member of this country's "Greatest Generation," Bud was a child when he survived the hardships of The Great Depression. Then as a young man, went on to roll up his sleeves and enlist in the Coast Guard immediately following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He served his country for 3 years stationed in Hawaii and New York. He married a small but spunky brunette, Maxine Chiles, in 1945. They moved out West to start a family and planted their feet in Orem, Utah. Bud began to learn the ins and outs of the electric trade where he proved to be a skilled worker and eventually became a supervisor at H.P. Foley Contractors. Bud and Maxine raised 5 beautiful children together in a home that he built with his own two hands, always a great source of pride for the entire family. Bud had a lifelong love for animals. As a teen he was featured in Reader's Digest Magazine after hatching ducklings he kept warm in his shirt pocket during a week-long journey while herding sheep. The ducks became his beloved pets and later in life his dogs and horses were his great companions. He was known to have a tough exterior but his actions often proved that he also had a soft heart. Bud joined the Peace Corps in his late 60's and spent 2 years in the Marshall Islands as a teacher. When he returned, he helped in the construction of the Smithsonian Fire Department in Apple Valley and served as a volunteer firefighter. Bud will be missed dearly and remembered fondly by his family and many close friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Louis Leland Cook; mother, Annette Parker Cook; brother, John Franklin Cook; and sister, Mary Kiger. He is survived by former wife, Maxine Cook; daughter, Dixie Larzalere; sons: John (Linda) Cook; Harold (Sheri) Cook; Mike (Pam) Cook; Tom (Lisa) Cook; 17 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild and sisters Genevieve Gates, Helen Cupps and Annette Bauer. A memorial honoring Bud's life will be held on his birthday, Sunday, November 7th at 4pm at the Smithsonian Fire Department located in Apple Valley, Utah. R.S.V.P. to Louie Ford 435-877-1040.