Merle L  Cook born July 39, 1948, passed away on Saturday March 30, 2024 in Billings. He was the oldest of three sons born to William and Viola Cook and a great brother to his two younger brothers and a compassionate and loyal uncle to his nephews and nieces.  He will be remembered asa believer in Jesus Christ and the heavenly portal that awated him at  his homegoing.  He lived by the Word of God and demonstrated this by his soft spoken spirit and his willingness to help those who were in need.  He was an avid classic car buff that the Lord allowed him to enjoy for some 75 plus years.  He was respectful to our Mother and Father and believed in the Family and friends that surrounded him, Merle graduated from Billings Senior High in 1966 and enlisted in the Air Force right after high school.  Uopn returning home after an Honorable Discharge he worked at many small jobs until he was hired by YellowstoneCounty as a yard man and eventually an equipment operator.  Merle was very thankful for the encouragement that his fellow laborers gave him and it was what sustained him for over 35 years that he was employed with the county.  He was very knowledgeable about old cars and one of the engineers once said "I don't think there was a car or truck he didn't like."  He was also a historian of sorts who collected data about Billings and was really proud of our city and shared many stories about days gone by.  The family would like to thank Westpark Village for their loving care and Billings Clinic for their genunine concern for him.  Thanks to the doctors and nurses who cared for hom and all of the caregivers and friends who supported him in his last days.  We have learned to hold everything more loosely in our hands knowing that Eternity awaits us.  May his legacy live on in the minds and hearts of all who knew him.  Untril we meet again.

Graveside services were held for Merle at Sunset Memorial Garden in Billings on Saturday, April 6, 2024.