Bette Anne Campbell Cook

June 22, 1939 - March 27, 2018
Bette Anne Campbell Cook

Bette Anne Campbell Cook was born on June 22, 1939 and passed away peacefully on March 27, 2018. Bette was loved by many including her 30- year companion James W. Bunger and her dog Merfe Brown II. She is survived by her loving daughters, Teri (Don) Singleton and Kristi (Troy) Bingham. She is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mom served many roles during her lifetime. She always volunteered at the elementary school when we were young, she taught us a strong work ethic and most of all she taught us the benefit of living with all of our hearts. Her love of animals was contagious and we all have the pitter-patter of small feet surrounding us.

Mom loved to run, play racquetball and swim. She was one of many women, ever-vigilant in the quest for equal rights, and spent much of her adulthood at the University of Utah taking classes in woman's studies and women's health. She was incredibly creative both in her journaling and in her depictions of life.

After we left home and she met Jim, they spent many happy years hiking, traveling and working together. She was never afraid of adventure, and she and Jim traveled a number of times to Europe, Canada, Mexico, and once to Venezuela. One excursion epitomizes her daring and ingenuity. The time was shortly after the Berlin Wall had come down, and Jim had a consulting job in the former East Germany. Bette wanted to come with him, but Jim cautioned that where he was working was pretty cold and dreary (February). She said "I don't care, you can leave me in Berlin; I want to see that part of Germany before it changes.' So that is what they did and a week later  when Jim was finished with his work, they spent the weekend in Berlin where Bette served as Jim's tour guide.

Bette was a cofounder with Jim in their consulting engineering company (JWBA, Inc.). She was a great judge of people and Jim came to rely on her instincts when it came to time to decide whether to do business with a person or company. When she urged caution in business dealings, there would almost always prove to be a reason that justified the caution.

Bette was an easy person to be around. She never raised her voice and always looked to accommodate the people around her. Everyone that spent time with her felt the quality time. She was a great companion. She will be missed.

Please join us for a celebration of her life on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. Guests are encouraged to use the complimentary valet parking on the north side of the building.