Politician Merrill Cook passed away on March 11, 2026, at the age of 79. Introduction Merrill Cook was an American politician and businessman. He served as a member of the United States House of Representatives for Utah's 2nd district from 1997 to 2001. Before his political career, he founded Cook Slurry Company, a manufacturer of explosive materials for mining, which made him well-known in the industrial sector. Political Career Cook transitioned from businessman to politician in the 1990s. He served in the House of Representatives during the 105th and 106th Congresses, from 1997 to 2001, representing Utah's 2nd district. The district he represented includes parts of central and eastern Utah, regions where mining and industry are economically significant. Cook was registered as a member of the Republican Party; his career also notes that he acted as an independent at times. His time in Congress coincided with a Republican-controlled House and the second term of President Bill Clinton. After his congressional service, he returned to the business world. Private Life Merrill Cook was born on May 6, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. He was the founder of Cook Slurry Company, a company specializing in explosive materials for mining. He was married to Camille Sanders, with whom he had five children. His wife passed away in 2015 due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease. Death Merrill Cook died on March 11, 2026, at the age of 79 in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The cause of death is not publicly known. At the time of writing, no public reactions from political parties or colleagues have been reported. There are no known details about a state funeral or public memorial service. Conclusion With the passing of Merrill Cook, the international community loses an entrepreneur-politician with direct experience in the mining sector. His career reflected the movement of regional businesspeople into public office, and his work remains linked to Utah’s industrial interests as well as his four years in the U.S. Congress. On Overleden.net, you can find more notable deceased from politics. This article was created with the support of AI tools and verified by the editorial team of Overleden.net.