Edwin Cook, Sr.

Edwin Haynes Cook, Sr., died peacefully in his sleep on March 16, 2018, in Kerrville. He was 88.\r\n \r\nBorn on October 31, 1929, in San Antonio, TX, he grew up on his family's ranch in Weesatche, TX, the town named for the sweet acacia trees plentiful in the area. He received his elementary education in the local two-room schoolhouse, riding his horse to school two miles each day. After graduating from Goliad High School, he attended Texas A&I University, graduating with an agricultural education degree and later doing graduate work at St. Mary's University and Trinity University.\r\n \r\nHe married his college sweetheart, Mildred McBurnett, in December of 1950, and served in the Air Force from 1951 to 1955 during the Korean War, stationed in Japan. In 1955, he accepted a job at Graybar Electric Company and remained a loyal employee until his retirement in 1992. His career with Graybar led him to posts in San Antonio, Austin, Amarillo, Dallas, Cleveland, Houston, and the company headquarters in St. Louis before his retirement in Kerrville. He especially enjoyed serving as District Manager in Dallas when Graybar played a key role in the installation of lighting at the new DFW Airport, opening a successful telecommunications branch in Houston in a time of rapid change in the industry, and serving as General Manager of Telecommunications in the corporate headquarters in his final job before retirement. \r\n \r\nHe was an avid golfer and fan of the Dallas Cowboys and San Antonio Spurs who also enjoyed community service in the various cities in which he lived, most recently for the Kiwanis Club of Kerrville and First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville. As the father of a son with special needs, he was especially passionate about his work as a board member of the St. Louis Arc. He also served on the board of the North American Telephone Association and was a Presbyterian church deacon or elder in most of the communities in which he lived. In Kiwanis, he particularly enjoyed mentoring students involved in Key Club International in Centerpoint, a partnership aimed at developing student leaders to benefit the community through service and volunteerism. He also relished spending time on Whispering Creek Ranch, his property in Weesatche, and attending reunions of retired Graybar employees, proud to have spent his career at one of North America's largest employee-owned companies.\r\n \r\nHe was preceded in death by his beloved wife, who died in March 2017 after 66 years of marriage; his son, Kenneth Wade Cook; his parents, Edwin Herbert Cook and Merle Haynes Cook Ramsey; and his brother, Oscar Bryson Cook. He is survived by his son, Edwin Haynes Cook, Jr., M.D. (Melissa); his grandchildren, Lindsay and Andrew Cook; and his dear sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews.\r\n\r\nFriends and family are invited to a celebration of life at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 24, 2018, at First Presbyterian Church, 800 Jefferson Street Kerrville, TX 78028. On the preceding day, Friday, March 23, 2018, all in the vicinity are welcome to the burial service to be held in Glendale Cemetery, Goliad, TX, at 2 p.m. \r\n\r\nIn lieu of flowers, donations to the First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville, St. Louis Arc (1177 N. Warson Road, St. Louis, MO 63132), or the charity of your choice would be appreciated.\r\n