Clayton "Corey" Wesley Cook III

Templeton. He was born on a Sunday morning in Santa Barbara on July 9th, 1972. Corey was known for his warmth and zest for life. Almost as if he knew about his limited time here, he would not let a moment pass without squeezing each drop of enjoyment from it. He kept his doors open to all including the occasional raccoon and welcomed everyone with a loving smile, warm embrace, and always encouraged everyone to play games while keeping the playful banter flowing.

As his family poured through albums in the days following his death, countless images could be found of Corey with his quintessential smirk that forever followed his quick wit and playful ways. He will be greatly missed by all that loved him.

Corey is survived by his two children McKenna Cook and Connor Cook, his wife Melissa Johnson, his mother Patricia Cook also known as Tish, his three sisters, Christina Zouabe, Catherine Cook, and Cika Cook, his nephews and niece, Jad Zouabe, Kenann Zouabe, Nolan Smid and Emma Zouabe.

When not with loved ones, Corey (forever the entrepreneur) applied that same vigor for life to the several businesses he began. Ultimately, he captained Color Correct Solutions, a Paso Robles based business that was not only successful but provided a space for each of his three sisters to work alongside him.

As a Templeton Eagle and Cal Poly Pomona Business alumni, his successful work-hard, play-hard attitude led to a love of travel that took him all around the world both in business and in pleasure. Whether it was swimming the Great Barrier Reef, camping alongside the ocean with loved ones, wakeboarding his way around Lake Nacimiento, or making the annual trek up to Big Sur to see his favorite band, he was a man that never left a moment unexperienced or person unloved.

With a grace that did not waiver in his final days, he replied to a family member’s brief apology with, “Don’t be sorry, I love you all.” Corey’s wish was for family and friends to keep this sentiment close after his passing, as each of his loved ones were an integral part of what made him love his life.

We look forward to remembering Corey in a way that he would have appreciated… with a celebration of life on what would have been his 49th birthday on Friday July 9th at 4pm at his beloved home in Templeton. We will celebrate as Corey would want us to with swimming, games, and good food. In lieu of sending flowers, please donate in Corey’s name to any cancer research foundation that has affected you or touched the life of a loved one.