DERIC COOK was raised on a farm. He loved being outside and exploring nature, and his inquisitive mind kept him busy working on engines, restoring trucks and four-wheeling.

Always an active young man, Deric is now at rest as he passed away early Saturday morning, April 30, 2011 in MedCentral Mansfield Hospital. He was 29.

Born February 13, 1982 in Mansfield to Ralph D. and Lisa (Clapper) Cook, he remained at lifelong area resident. He was graduated from Madison High School in 2000 where he studied vocational welding. He later went through the apprenticeship program to earn the journeyman title for pipe welding. He worked as a sub-contractor with Tradesmen International.

Physically strong, Deric earned four varsity letters in wrestling, traveled with the Ohio Team of Greco Roman Free Style Wrestling, and dabbled in Mixed Martial Arts.

Though he like to portray a daredevil, Deric was good hearted, full of compassion and will be remembered for how much he loved his family and his easy going personality.

He is survived by his mother and step-father, Lisa and Tony Morelli, his sister and brother-in-law, Heather and Ty Turner, and his father and step-mother, Ralph and Heidi Cook, all of Mansfield; a son, Tristen J. Cook of Ashland, a daughter, Alea Cook of Mansfield; step-brothers and step-sister, Cody Stevens, Chelsi Smith and Gunnar Smith, all of Mansfield; nieces and nephew, Colton, Trinity and Layla; his maternal grandmother, Patricia Clapper of Johnsville; paternal step-grandmother, Donna Cook of Lake Wales, Florida; and a multitude of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, James Clapper and Dale and Shirley Cook; and great grandparents.

Deric's family will receive friends Wednesday, May 4, 2011 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home where his funeral service will be held Thursday at 11:00 a.m. Chaplain Faith Proietti will officiate. Burial will follow in Mt. Zion Cemetery.

Contributions in his memory to the Deric J. Cook Memorial Fund may be made at the funeral home.