Paul Cody Crooks

Paul Cody Crooks was born on Sept. 8, 1984, in Ogallala, Nebraska to Larry R. Crooks and Virginia (Ginny) L. Shaw Crooks. He was welcomed home by his older brother, Robert Cade Crooks. Cody began his life in Julesburg, Colorado, and shortly thereafter moved to his mother’s hometown of Meeker, Colorado.

Cody attended K-12 schools in Meeker and excelled in sports and music. He still holds the school record for the second-longest long jump and even flew to Australia to represent Colorado in the Down Under Games. In addition to his time on the track, Cody was the kicker for the football team and received an award for the most points scored at the end of his senior season. He also played on the basketball team and wrestled for many years, including as a teammate for the 2003 state wrestling championship. From fifth grade through his senior year, Cody played the saxophone and performed numerous solos.

In 2003, he graduated from high school and decided to join the U.S. Navy’s nuclear submarine program in August that year. After boot camp in Chicago where he served as the Recruit Chief Petty Officer (RPOC), Cody moved to naval nuclear training in Groton, Connecticut. From there, he spent time in South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and finally Hawaii where he served in the Pearl Harbor Honor Guard. During Cody’s service in the U.S. Navy, he received numerous awards and medals including the Navy Achievement Medal and expert medals for Rifle Marksmanship and Pistol Marksmanship.

Cody married Jessica N. Spinks in St. Augustine, Florida, on Sept. 1, 2007. On April 3, 2008, Cody and Jessica welcomed their son, William Dante Crooks. Cody loved spending time with Dante and his stepson Dylan and being a dad was easily the best, most rewarding thing he ever did with his life.

After his time in the Navy, Cody moved from Hawaii to Louisiana where he served as a law enforcement officer. He later moved back to Colorado and eventually settled back in Meeker where he took a job with Rio Blanco County leading the IT and broadband department. After his stint there, he worked for Atmos Energy serving customers in Craig, Hayden and Meeker.

On Dec. 23, 2023, Cody was diagnosed with high-grade glioblastoma. He never wanted this disease to define him and never complained as he met it head on with fierce determination. He amazed his cancer treatment team with his positive attitude and unwavering faith that he would be OK no matter what happened.

Cody is survived by his son, Dante, of Jacksonville, Florida; his parents Sam F. and Ginny Love of Meeker, Colorado; his father Larry R. Crooks of Julesburg, Colorado; his brothers Cade Crooks of Meeker, Colorado, Sam G. Love (and fiancee Erica) of Washington, D.C., and Patrick Love of Roxborough Park, Colorado; and his stepsons Dylan Crooks of Jacksonville, Florida and Trevor Crooks of Meeker, Colorado, in addition to Jordan and Weston Bayles of Meeker, Colorado.

Cody passed away on Dec. 23, 2024. Memorial services were held Friday, Dec. 27 in Meeker, Colorado with interment following at Highland Cemetery. Donations can be made to the Cody Crooks Memorial Fund at Mountain Valley Bank.