Ralph Douglas Cook, 37, died at his home in Seminole, FL, on Monday, March 22. He was born in Moline, IL.
He graduated from Moline High School in 1992. Ralph loved working with his hands and discovered his career talents in Phoenix, AZ, where he worked for H.T.C. Tattooing. He continued his career path in Largo, FL, working for Atomic Tattoo for 8 years. He will be remembered for his genuine authenticity. He enjoyed being an uncle and shark fishing in his spare time. He will always be remembered as "Ralphie" to those who loved him. He will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his father Ralph L. Cook of Bettendorf, IA; his mother, Eve Peets of Clearwater, FL; grandmother, Elva M. Cook; sisters, Liza Pillers of Olathe, KS and Lindsey Veit of Bettendorf, IA; and brother, Thomas Peets of Largo, FL.
Graveside service will be at 2 PM on Wednesday, March 31, 2010, at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. The cemetery is located at 11801 US Hwy. 19 North in Clearwater, FL.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Ralph’s family and friends in their loss.
It’s hard to express how deeply sorry I am for your loss. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Our thought and prayers are with you all. If only you and I could see how beautiful Heaven is sure to be we’d bow our heads in thankful prayer for now Ralphie is resting there. We are thinking of you.
Love you
We have not spoken in 10 years, but I do hope you are at peace. My thoughts and prayers go out to your friends and family.
words can`t describe the way you affected our lives..we ALL love you and will never ever forget you! you will always be one of my best friends. love you bro. D.Cookus
Only new you for a short time,but being around you I could always get a good laugh. R.I.P BRO!
Ralph, I am blessed to have known you. It was a great journey into the wonderful world of piercing together. My heart and prayers go out to your family. Smile above on us…love you.
My heart go’s out to your family and friends, may you find peace at this hard time. ralph…It had been too long since i saw you last, time is an instant. may you rest in peace old friend..
There is nothing you can say to a situation like this except, I am sorry for your loss and thank God there are people that fight for MY freedom. My life is forever changed by these selfless acts. I can’t find words to express my ever gratitude….
My thoughts and prayers are with Ralph’s family and friends. Rest in peace,God is with you.
This is such a great loss, I knew you because of my daughter and you were a great Friend to Amanda, you were always polite and respectful to me and her dad, you will be missed by so many. You’re in the arms of God now and he will love you for who you were. My prayers are with your family. R.I.P
Just wanted to add this Entry, I feel it fitting, never forget life here may be hard. But if you find God it will make things so much easier. In the reference in this song your were pulled from the wreckage, I feel it means the suffering you go through in life, god will pull you through if you allow him to.
Spend all your time waiting
for that second chance
for a break that would make it okay
there’s always one reason
to feel not good enough
and it’s hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction
oh beautiful release
memory seeps from my veins
let me be empty
and weightless and maybe find some peace tonight
In the arms of an angel
fly away from here
from this dark cold hotel room
and the endlessness that you fear
you are pulled from the wreckage
of your silent reverie
you’re in the arms of the angel
may you find some comfort there
So tired of the straight line
and everywhere you turn
there’s vultures and thieves at your back
and the storm keeps on twisting
you keep on building the lie
that you make up for all that you lack
it maked no difference
escaping one last time
it’s easier to believe in this sweet madness oh
this glorious sadness that brings me to my knees
In the arms of an angel
fly away from here
from this dark cold hotel room
and the endlessness that you fear
you are pulled from the wreckage
of your silent reverie
you’re in the arms of the angel
may you find some comfort there
you’re in the arms of the angel
may you find some comfort here.
I never knew him but I am very close with someone who cares about him more than I can even put into words. I’ve heard nothing but great things about him for a long time now and only wish I would have met him. All my best to the rest of his friends and family. Rest in Peace..
My deepest condolence goes out to all of Ralphie’s family and friends. I feel privileged to have known you, for you will be missed dearly! May the Lord be with you and continue to watch over your family. This is a heartbreaking loss and my prayers go out to the family and friends. R.I.P.
We have been friends since you moved to Floridia and only wished you moved here sooner. It seems like it was yesterday that I got my first tattoo, but now I have your signature all over me. You were like an older brother to me,Whatever I needed or wanted you were just a phone call away. I have learned so much from you, You have made me a better person in many ways. Thank you for being the best fishing BUDDY and BEST FRIEND ever.When ever I wanted to go fishing you were there rain or shine, night or day.One day we will meet again and go shark fishing and we catch the biggest shark in the sea. I LOVE YOU BROTHER and hope to see you again. Love your BUDDYBROTHER Patrick Freeman
We have been friends since you moved to Floridia and only wished you moved here sooner. It seems like it was yesterday that I got my first tattoo, but now I have your signature all over me. You were like an older brother to me,Whatever I needed or wanted you were just a phone call away. I have learned so much from you, You have made me a better person in many ways. Thank you for being the best fishing BUDDY and BEST FRIEND ever.When ever I wanted to go fishing you were there rain or shine, night or day.One day we will meet again and go shark fishing and we catch the biggest shark in the sea. I LOVE YOU BROTHER and hope to see you again. Love your BUDDYBROTHER Patrick Freeman
U will always be my raplhie.. Its been to long since ive spoken to u..you will always be in my thought
So happy I got to see and hug you on Saturday. Rest in Paradise Punkin’ xoxo “Next time we will watch Nemo”
I will always love you Ralph. You were my best friend. You made me love myself again . I am very glad I got to see you when i was there . I just wish I could hold you one more time. I will always feel so special that I had you in my life for that many years . I remember the first time we met It was one of the greatest days of my life. Forever love … You will always be in my heart.
Ralph & Eve: We are so sorry to hear of Ralphie’s death. We didn’t know he had been ill. We remember Ralphie at the water ski tournaments being a bright and cheerful young boy. May God be with the two of you during this time of loss. We have just one son and I cannot even begin to imagine what you must be going through. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
We weren’t close friends, but I knew you well enough to know you were such an amazing person. No matter the mood I was in, after hanging out, It was always a better day. You always know how to make everyone laugh and smile and thats what we all loved about you. Ill always have a piece of you with me..my first tattoo means more to me than I had ever imagined it would. It sucks you had to leave us so soon, but we will all be with you again when the time is right. Miss you bunches. Oh, and when it comes time to meet with Patrick again..make sure you out fish him..someone has to do it :)
Without memories, We are nothing…Thank you for all the knowledge, Ralph I will never forget you…
Ralph,
We all miss you more than we ever imagined possible.You were an awesome person, you could make anyone in any mood laugh. You will stay with me, Patrick and Noah forever. Mary is in good hands, she will stay with us for as long as she lives. You were one of the best people I have ever met Ralph and I only wish you did not have to leave us so soon..We miss you, I know you look down and laugh at us all sometimes, I catch myself doing something or thinking of you and then I look up and think about how you are probably laughing at us telling us to move on and go fishing! We will always miss you :-)
Ralph, I am so happy that I got to know you and that I got to see you just recently. You are an amazing person and always knew how to make me laugh! My heart and prayers goes out to your family at this devestating time. You will truely be missed and never forgotten! RIP Ralph!
My thoughts are with Ralph’s family and friends in their time of loss.
You never realize how much you will miss someone until they are gone. Whenever I think of you, I see a smile on your face and I can hear your intoxicating laugh. You are a great person and I am glad that I had the opportunity to grow up with you. May you rest in peace. I love you!
Ralph,I’m so glad that i got to meet you and be one of the fishing crew.Those was some of the best moments of my life.Will always remember you and will always think of you when I’m fishing or getting a new tat.u are missed my so many and loved by so many.i will see you again when its my time.rest in peace Ralph
Thanks Ralph for all the memories! I will cherish the sweet tat and all the help you gave me along the way.Thanks for leading me in the right direction.You will be missed Bro.We will see you again.The family is in our prayers.
its always sad to see a bright light extinguished.remember the good times that were had with Ralphie and he will always be in the hearts of those who knew him.
I’m sad that I didn’t get to spend more time with you. At least I have some good memories to remember you by. We all will always carry a piece of you with us. I miss you and wish I would have been able to go shark fishing with you. Love Leslee
I’m sad that I didn’t get to spend more time with you. At least I have some good memories to remember you by. We all will always carry a piece of you with us. I miss you and wish I would have been able to go shark fishing with you. Love Leslee
I’m extremely shocked to hear about your death. I didn’t know you as a person but i did get my belly button peirced at atomic tattoos, and you were the one who did it! It blows my mind your no longer here today, i hope where you are now treats you well.
Sitting here remembering, the smile upon your face and how it made the world light up-you were full of heavenly grace.
No longer can i see your face for you are with God above. But your loving smile will always be tucked in my heart with love.
I know you wouldn’t want to see me crying the way i do, but losing you was a part of me and days, i can’t make it through.
Do you hear me crying? It’s because some days i’m down. I look around for you, but you’re no where to be found.
Only pictures now remain of you; special songs that meant so much. So if you hear me crying, it’s because i miss you so very much.
Sometimes I think i see you, on a crowded street or mall. Then i run up and call your name, but it wasn’t you at all.
My heart still aches in sadness and tears, oh how they flow! What it meant to lose you, noone will ever know.
So if you hear me crying, it’s something i can’t control. Just understand my little brother, when i’m again with you, i’ll be whole.
your “sissy”
http://www.ruthann1.com
It has been many years since I seen you; but you will be missed just as much as if we were together yesterday. Thank you for all of the great times we had. My only wish is that I could have found you sooner and said all of the things I have wanted to say over the years. Rest In Peace Ralph. Love, Lisa
It has been many years since I seen you; but you will be missed just as much as if we were together yesterday. Thank you for all of the great times we had. My only wish is that I could have found you sooner and said all of the things I have wanted to say over the years. Rest In Peace Ralph. Love, Lisa
You were a truly unique person and will always be in our hearts. i am sorry for your familys loss but i know you are in a better place than the rest of us. till we meet again my you rest in peace.
You were a truly unique person and will always be in our hearts. i am sorry for your familys loss but i know you are in a better place than the rest of us. till we meet again my you rest in peace.
You will forever be in my heart, I love you always my Ralphie..
we were friends from the beginning over 15 years ago.You are the person that got me into “johnny the Homicidal Maniac” I tattooed both sides of your ribcage at the anaheim convention. I even tattooed your toes. Many many good times my brother. I will be getting a tattoo in your honor for sure. I wish i wouldve found out sooner.either way i will miss you n all day today i drink in your name Ralph D. Cook
we were friends from the beginning over 15 years ago.You are the person that got me into “johnny the Homicidal Maniac” I tattooed both sides of your ribcage at the anaheim convention. I even tattooed your toes. Many many good times my brother. I will be getting a tattoo in your honor for sure. I wish i wouldve found out sooner.either way i will miss you n all day today i drink in your name Ralph D. Cook
To Ralphie’s family and friends – I am so sorry for your loss. I couldn’t believe and am totally shocked to find out that he is no longer with us. I am so thankful that my family and I were able to know the real Ralph. I have wonderful memories of traveling Chicago with him and going to the town that he grew up in. As hard as these comments are to read, I really do realize I knew him for who he was (between the water skiing as a kid, shark fishing, being a great cook, loving Mary and Godzilla, creating awesome artwork and boring me with the Discovery channel), that wonderful and creative person. Constantly talking about his mother, sister and nephews, he loved you all so much. All I have now is memories and I will cherish them forever. A piece of my heart has broken off and is gone; I wish I would have said more to him. Until we meet again, I know he is in a better place and will always look over us. You were an angel on earth and now you’re our angel on our shoulders! Love you Ralph, Ashley
Till this I still think of you. The fun we had, the memories we shared. Hard to be believe my best friend isn’t here. You’ll be remembered forever… I love and miss you so much..till we meet again RIP my Ralph..