Ephraim Leo Cook

Ephraim Leo Cook (Eph) was born in Layton, Utah on December 14, 1997, to his parents Sarah Kay Eagar and Blaine Oscar Cook, along with his twin brother, Heber. Ephraim lived a full life doing what he loved. He was an outgoing, energetic, and charismatic leader and outrageously unique. Eph loved so hard, cared so much, and everyone who knew him absolutely adored him. He was just so good.

Ephraim enjoyed his band of brothers while captaining the award-winning Murray High School Football Team his senior year. Eph loved his teammates and coaches. He graduated from Murray High School in 2016. He served as a missionary in the Brazil Fortaleza East Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 2016-2018.

Eph was a side-splitting comic who could make a crowd of two or 200 laugh louder than ever. He enjoyed performing impressions of friends and associates. He was a self-taught, aspiring singer-songwriter, composing melodies, writing lyrics, singing with his whole soul while strumming a guitar. An early stage name was “Leo and the Current” in memory of his grandfather.

Ephraim loved to climb, hike, ski, camp and be outdoors. He worked for a season as a lift operator at Alta Ski Area, had a season pass for several years at Brighton Ski Resort, and tried his luck working at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. He also worked for a season in the Virgin Islands, guiding snorkelers in kayaks to see the fish and sea turtles. He made friends wherever he went.

Eph enjoyed rock climbing in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Moab, and St George, Utah; Red Rock near Las Vegas; City of Rocks, Idaho and many others. He died at age 25 in a tragic climbing accident while ascending Outside Corners in Big Cottonwood Canyon on May 24, 2023.

We honor climbing partner and girlfriend Sarah Radulic of New Jersey for her heroic efforts. Sarah risked her life in her efforts to assist Ephraim. Responders included Unified Police of Salt Lake, Salt Lake County Sheriff's Search and Rescue and Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter. We thank all who helped in any way for their kindness and professionalism.

Mortuary services were provided by Family Funeral Care. Ephraim’s remains will be interred at Wasatch Lawn and Memorial Gardens at a later date. The family appreciates their compassionate and thoughtful care.

Ephraim was preceded in death by his grandparents, Leo Brent and Kay (Whiteley) Eagar. He is survived by his grandparents, Alonzo and Lynda (Edlund) Cook, parents, siblings Alashtay (Landon) Lambert, Heber Cook, Whiteley (Jordan) Goddard, Amelia Cook, favorite nephew Lewis Lambert, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

We invite family and friends to celebrate Ephraim’s life with us at the Snowbird Resort, Cliff Lodge, Lobby Level, Primrose Room on Saturday, June 3, 2023 anytime between 1:00 and 4:00 PM. Please come as you are.