In Loving Memory
This website is dedicated to
Stephen K. Cook
September 19, 1971 — March 12, 2021
Stephen K. Cook was the original designer and developer of the Morning Sun Cafe website. His passion for computers and programming brought this community together online, and his work continues to live on through every page you visit here.
“He was the website owner’s favorite” — and a favorite to all who knew him.
About Stephen
Stephen was a man of many talents and deep passions. A Master Instructor at Yu’s Academy Martial Arts, he studied Hapkido, Taekwondo, and achieved the rank of 5th Degree Black Belt Dun. Beyond the dojang, Stephen had a brilliant mind for technology — he loved accounting, computers, and programming, skills he poured into building and maintaining this very website.
When he wasn’t at the keyboard, Stephen could be found on the basketball court, at the bowling alley, or deep in a game of Magic: The Gathering with friends, both online and offline. He was an avid lover of movies and books, with a special place in his heart for Harry Potter.
Stephen worked at ABC Disposal Service while continuing the family business, carrying forward the legacy his parents, John Kenneth and Diane Marie Cook, built for their children.
A faithful member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Stephen lived his life with dedication to family, faith, and community.
Family
Stephen is lovingly remembered by his siblings: Jason Cook, Stacey (Jerry) Goodman, Justin Cook, and Amber Cook; and his nieces and nephews: Jordan, Abbie, Mavric, and Jack Goodman.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John Kenneth and Diane Marie (Kellen) Cook.
A Letter to Stephen
Read by Jason Cook at the Funeral Mass, May 22, 2021
Dear Stephen,
Mom said you never made a fuss when you were born. You never made a fuss as you helped others.
You have lots of friends in this community from your college days to running the family business. You started as a lab consultant at Missouri Western State University. You studied hapkido, tae-kwon-do and became a 5th degree Blackbelt dun.
You loved accounting, computers, basketball, bowling, wrestling and programming. There was no mathematical equation you couldn’t solve. You enjoyed designing websites. Two websites you designed were for your friend and mentor Grandmaster Chan Yu.
One of the best times is family holidays. Mom would make her famous Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners. After dinner, we would play cards and board games. For New Years, she would make a Mexican dip which is out of this world delicious. We played card games to ring in the new year.
You have left a mark in this world. You will never be forgotten. We are going to honor you. We will miss you every day. We can’t wait to see you in heaven with Mom and Dad.
Your smile is beautiful internally as well as externally. Grandmaster Yu best summed it up, you are our spark.
We will always be a full house, 3 Kings and 2 Queens.
Your brother and sisters,
Jason, Stacey, Justin, Amber
Stephen’s work on Morning Sun Cafe was a labor of love. Every page, every feature, every line of code reflected his care and dedication. Though he is no longer with us, his spirit lives on through this website and in the hearts of everyone he touched.
Rest in peace, Stephen. Your legacy lives on.