Walter Allen Cooke

He is survived by wife Leigh Smith Cooke of Arvada, CO; sons Samuel Allen Cooke of Arvada, CO (age 24, born in Virginia Beach, VA) and Jacob Andrew Cooke, of Arvada, CO (age 22, born in Chesapeake, VA). Mother Carolyn Caldwell Cooke of Green Cove Springs, FL; two older brothers David Cooke of Arizona and Stephen Johnson of the Philippines; younger sister Nancy Ruth Cooke of Green Cove Springs FL; cousin Deb Van Houten of Larkspur, CO and parents-in-law, H.O. and Carol Smith of Arvada, CO.

He is preceded in death by his father Robert A. Cooke and identical twin brother Alexander “Sandy” Harrington Cooke who passed away in 2014.

Allen grew up in Norfolk, VA and Virginia Beach, VA. He graduated from Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach, VA in 1979. It was at PA High School where he met his life-long best friend Jim Kappers.

Allen married Leigh Smith Cooke in Virginia Beach, VA in 1990.

Allen was a Boy Scout and achieved the rank of Life Scout. He joined the scouts with his twin brother Sandy. Their father, Robert Cooke taught them both to sail. They raced Windmill sailboats in their younger years winning numerous trophies. Allen continued to love the water & boating his entire life. He spent many hours on the water with his wife and two sons. Boating on the Lynnhaven River and Chesapeake Bay in Virginia Beach, VA and later taking many trips to different lakes in Colorado.

Allen also took up tennis when he and his wife lived in St. Augustine, Fl. Later in Virginia Beach he competed in many round-robin tournaments. Allen learned to ride motorcycles, he loved riding and he enjoyed many cycle trips riding with his father-in-law, H.O. Smith. They rode from Virginia Beach, VA, to Jacksonville, FL. Together, they rode throughout Virginia visiting historical sites and throughout parts of Colorado. His love of the water and boating drew him into the marine industry where he worked in many capacities for most of his life. He was a part owner/operator of Beach Marine at Marina Shores in Virginia and also Aurora Marine in Denver, CO. Most recently until his death he worked at Bass Pro Shops in Denver, CO where he made many good friends.

Allen was also a life-long Cowboys fan but grew to love the Broncos too after moving to Colorado in 2006.

Allen was loved by many and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

His ashes and that of his beloved identical twin brother Sandy’s ashes will be jointly scattered at a future time.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerhampdenmortuary.com for the Cooke family.