Larry Ray Cook, 77, of Bismarck, died Monday, August 3, 2026.

Larry was born in Columbus, MT in 1948 to Sue and Howard Cook. His family moved to Wilton, ND when he was 12 years old, and he graduated from Wilton High School in 1966. He earned his bachelor's degree at Valley City State University in 1970 and later returned to school at Minot State University, completing his master's degree in 1993.

Larry began his teaching career as an English teacher in Rugby, ND in 1970. He married Conna Lee Johnson of Wilton in 1974, and they moved to Bismarck, ND where they raised their family and Larry spent the rest of his life. He started at Hughes Junior High teaching English and soon moved to Physical Science. In 1992 he started teaching Physics and some Chemistry at Bismarck High, and retired in 2016. He taught for 46 years. He was delighted to return to teach one more AP Physics class during the 2018-19 school year before retiring for good.

In 2007, he received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching. He was honored along with 49 other science teachers, one from each state, with a week-long event in Washington D.C. He went on to devote much of his later career to teaching and mentoring other teachers. Larry was very active in the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), where he worked in the PTRA program to teach many workshops across the country.

Larry coached track for many years and became a familiar presence at state track meets, as both a coach and an official. He was a fixture on the infield for generations of North Dakota athletes. This inspired him to start running, and he ran many marathons, half marathons and ran at every Turkey Trot he was able to participate in.

All over this city—and far beyond it—are people who learned physics from Larry, how to perfect a relay handoff, or simply to keep asking questions. He rarely made it through a grocery store without a former student stopping to say hello.

He was a man of faith who prayed daily and held numerous positions in his church over the years including as a Deacon, Session member, confirmation partner and chaperoning Presbyteen Youth Group ski trips. Larry could always think of something to be grateful for even on the hardest days.

Larry could often be found running, doing a daily crossword puzzle, watching Jeopardy and cracking a science teacher joke whenever possible. He was happiest when he was helping someone get better at something, and he kept that curiosity to the end.

He is survived by his wife, Conna Cook; their children, David Cook (Sarah) and Suzie Wood (James); three grandchildren, Emma, Harper and Willow Cook, and numerous dear cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sue Cook, Howard Cook; his father and mother-in-law, Marvin and Helen Johnson; siblings, Jean Barragan; Chester Cook (Honora); Jerry Cook (Judy); Clayton Lewis Cook; dear grandparents, uncles, aunts and nieces. 

Family will greet guests from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, August 13 at Eastgate Funeral Service, 3117 E. Century Ave., Bismarck. A prayer service will begin at 6:30 p.m. A Celebration of Life service will follow on Friday, August 14, at 11:00 a.m. at Eastgate Funeral Service, with a luncheon, pie, coffee, and time of fellowship afterward.

The family is grateful for the kindness, prayers, stories, and memories so many have shared. Larry felt deeply blessed by the people around him, and grateful he got to spend so many years with all of us.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish can make a donation to North Dakota’s Gateway to Science.