Merrill Cook, an American politician and businessman who served as a Republican Party member of the United States House of Representatives from Utah, died on March 9, 2026, at age 79.
Born Merrill Alonzo Cook on May 6, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from East High School in 1964 and the University of Utah in 1969, later earning an M.B.A.
from Harvard Business School in 1971. Before his election to Congress, Cook worked as a budget analyst at Arthur D. Little, Inc. and founded Cook Slurry Company in 1973. He also ran for office several times, including as a Republican and on the Utah Independent ticket.
Merrill Alonzo Cook (May 6, 1946 – March 9, 2026) was an American politician and businessman who served as a Republican Party member in the United States House of Representatives from Utah.