Region 8

Rex Cook

Dickinson, ND
Phone: 701-225-2147

Rex Cook was born and raised in Sentinel Butte, ND, where he graduated high school in 1945. After which he attended Dickinson State Teachers College receiving an emergency teaching certificate. He taught at the Goldsberry School in Billings County for the 1945-1946 school term, then returned to college graduating with a B.S. degree in Education. In August 1950, he married Ann Aberson. They both taught in Hettinger, ND, until December of 1950 when Rex was called to active duty with the Headquarters Company, 164^th Infantry. He was stationed at Camp Rucker, AL, then sent to the Far East and Japan until October 1951. He was a military advisor to the Japanese Police Reserve and was discharged with the rank of Master Sergeant.

After leaving the service, Rex worked at various jobs in Dickinson, and taught at Dickinson High School from1958-1960. He was manager of the Dickota Products Company from 1960-1966, then returned to teach in the Dickinson Public School system, and started and taught several horse classes at Dickinson State University.  

Retiring in 1989, Rex enjoys leatherwork, which has been a part of his life since his teen years. He is a well-known saddlemaker who has taught saddlemaking to people throughout North Dakota, including now well-renowned saddlemaker Early Twist of Montana, through the NDCA’s Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program and outside of this program. He has always been associated with horses, including participating in rodeos for many years, training and showing cutting horses, and judging various horse shows. Rex also participates in art festivals like the Culture Fest in Jamestown, ND and the North Dakota Cenennial Folklife Festival.

Rex has two children, Brian of Bennett, CO, and Sally of Glendive, MT, who are both married and have families. Rex and his wife enjoy traveling. He serves as a board member for the Theodore Roosevelt Nature and History Association in Medora, ND, and for the Joachim Museum in Dickinson, ND. He also serves as a Trustee for the ND Cowboy Hall of Fame in Medora, ND.