Darren Lee Cook, Jr.

Darren Lee Cook, Jr., age 24, Ogimaa-giniw “Chief Golden Eagle”, of the Eagle Clan, from Red Lake, MN, passed away peacefully at Red Lake IHS Hospital and journeyed on to the Spirit World on Thursday, November 10, 2022.

Darren, also known as “Baby D”, was born on March 23, 1998, to Lylah D. May and the late Darren L. Cook, Sr. in Bemidji, MN.  He graduated from Flandreau Indian School in 2016 with High Honors. He later went to Crazy Horse Memorial College for a summer semester in 2016. From there he went on to attend the University of Morris, MN from 2016-2018. He also worked at Crazy Horse Memorial during his summer semester. He moved to Milwaukee, WI for a couple years, and worked at several casinos. In 2020, he moved home to be closer to family, where he met his very special friend, Quentin Nelson and resided in Ponemah, MN.

Darren loved to travel to Pow-wows throughout the United States and loved to sing with Little Bear Singers. He was also a grass dancer.  Darren was also known for singing Happy Birthday on his hand drum to his siblings, nieces and nephews.  He loved going to casinos and playing Bingo on Facebook. He loved being an uncle and thought the world of his nieces and nephews. Darren was a loving, caring thoughtful young man who had lots of love for all his family and friends.  He loved life to the fullest and had many things he wanted to accomplish in life.  He wanted to take care of his mother and grandmothers. He loved taking rides almost daily to go try out different restaurants and loved shopping. He was a very classy guy, very intelligent, who had a voice and wasn’t afraid to use it. Baby D will be greatly missed by all.

He is survived by: his mother, Lylah D. May and step-father, Tim Barrett, Sr.; brothers: Brady and Miigwan Cook, Timothy Jr. and Brenden Barrett; sisters: Alyssa, Robyn, and Mika Cook and  Alexys May; nieces: Reyah and Noelle Cook; nephews: Draco Lee and Nindae James Cook;  grandmothers: Allura May and Sylvia Branchaud; aunts: Nataya Neadeau, Renae (Justin) Cook, Jo and Jenelle Cobenais, special aunt, Janet Drouillard; special dorm mom: Jessica Renville; special cousin: Shaleigha Neadeau; special mom: Charlene Hindsley; special loving friend, Quentin Nelson; as well as many other relatives and friends.

Those who welcome him into the spirit world are: his father, Darren L. Cook, Sr.; grandfathers: David V. May and Wendell Cook; great-grandparents: Blush and Mickey May and  Katie and James Neadeau, Sr. and Frances and Irvin Branchaud; special dad: Darren Defoe, Sr.; great-great-grandparents: Ida and Teddy Cook; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

The wake will begin at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at the Old Red Lake Center in Red Lake and continue until the service at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, November 16, 2022. Active casketbearers will be: Brendan Strong, Darren Defoe, Jr., Brandon Graves, Chase Kingbird, Justin Barrett, Jaren Barrett, Matthew Antone, Joshua Antone, Cyrus Whitefeather, Stephan Dow, Ira Spears, Frances Moon, Frankie Papsadora-Clark. Honorary casketbearers will be: Justin Auginash, Sr., Justin Auginash, Jr., Jessilyn Spears, Talina and Taylor Lightfeather, Mikah Sky Whitecloud, Tracey Cook, Justyce Auginash, Brianna Cook, Tanisha Beaulieu, Brady Cook, Alyssa Cook, Robyn Cook, Alexys May, Miigwan Cook, Timothy Barrett, Jr., Brenden Barrett, Shaleigha Neadeau, Shalana Neadeau, and Nataya Neadeau. Burial will be at the May family residence in Red Lake. Arrangements by Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service of Walker & Hackensack (whisperingpinesnorth.com).

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