Our beloved West Cooke passed away on June 25, 2024. He was 54 years old. 

West was an adoring husband, protective brother, devoted son, dear friend, and talented chef. West was a true Renaissance man, with many talents and wide interests. He was curious, creative, hard working, and a dreamer. He was constantly striving to be a better man.

West was a fourth generation Ventura native. Watching Ventura evolve greatly since his childhood compelled him to capture it before it was gone forever. His photography changed the way he looked at everything. Seeing his beloved hometown through a lens inspired him to capture the beauty which is everywhere.  

After a brief work stint at Camarillo State Hospital in 90's, he was drawn to helping at-risk youth and took a job  as a live-in house manager at a group home for boys. Seeing a need for these boys to be better fed, he took it upon himself to meal plan and cook for the house, while also guiding them to learn valuable life skills.

Cooking at the group home was the beginning of his passion for cooking. This passion led to West and Shoshanah pouring  their heart and soul into opening Cooke's Smokehouse in 2004, bringing his famous BBQ and ShoCakes desserts to his community. It saddened many when Cooke's closed in 2009.  He opened his own business again as SoCal Comfort Food Truck, operating at breweries and festivals county-wide until the Pandemic. West also volunteered repeatedly for World Central Kitchen #ChefsForCalifornia aid efforts in the region. This work was the most meaningful of his culinary career.  West loved his community and was a chef. He was happiest when feeding people.

West was proceeded in death  by his mother Christine (Granny) Randall-Cooke and Aunt Vickie Consoli.

West is survived by his wife, Shoshanah, of 20 years, sister Della Dowler and husband Tim, nieces Amber Ryan, her husband Shane, and Brianna Dowler, Uncle Tom Consoli, cousins Traci, Jason and Jodi Consoli, Uncle Charles Ross, in-laws Al and Lana Finegold, sister-in-law Melissa Brown and husband Zane, nieces Rebecca and Mira Brown,  brother- in-law Richard Finegold and wife Nadine.  West is also survived by his beloved pitties, Baby and The Boy.

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