David Franklin Cooke

David Franklin Cooke

Dave went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 21, 2009. He died at home surrounded by his family.

He was born August 7, 1930, in Alberene, Virginia, and moved to Charlottesville with his family at a young age. Dave was an Eagle Scout and his involvement with the community continued the rest of his life.

He was captain of the Lane High School basketball team from 1948 until 1949 and lettered in football, baseball and track. He received his B.S. in Physical Education from University of Virginia in 1954 and his Masters degree from University of Virginia in 1965. He continued his athletic career at University of Virginia, where he was captain of the basketball team from 1953 until 1954. At Virginia, he also lettered in track as a pole-vaulter. He was a member of Phi Kappa Alpha and Sigma Delta Psi.

After college, he received his commission as a first lieutenant with the Army Corps of Engineers and was stationed at Fort Belvoir. He returned to Charlottesville and taught and coached at Lane High School for nine years. In 1956, he also founded Meadowbrook Washette and began a successful career in local business. He continued expanding his business ventures by opening Clearview Cleaners, U Wash It Laundromat, Carriage Cleaners, Cavalier Cleaners, Forest Lakes Cleaners, Village Green Cleaners and he was a principle shareholder in Carriage Food House and one of the partners who developed the Millmont shops. Dave was also a 32ndDegree Mason and President of the Piedmont Shrine Club and the Thomas Jefferson Lions Club.

Continuing his service to the university, he served as President of the Virginia Student Aid Foundation (now known as V.A.F.) for two terms, from 1978 until 1980. For 35 years he served as treasurer and "keeper of the quarters" for the 7-11 Bridge Club. He was also an active member of the First Baptist Church Park Street.

Dave had a zest for life and in his free time enjoyed playing a form of bridge known as "poker" with his close friends. He spent many weekends in Syria, Virginia, cooking hamburgers for his friend, Jimmy, at the Graves Mountain Lodge Blue Grass Festival. He loved to garden and can his vegetables for which he won many blue ribbons at the Albemarle County Fair. He loved dancing with his wife, riding his bike, softball, his Saturday golf buddies, University of Virginia football tailgates, and University of Virginia basketball games. He played in the first ever ACC basketball tournament and bled Orange and Blue. But what he loved most of all was his family. He supported his wife, children and grandchildren in all endeavors.

He was preceded in death by his father, Samuel Luther Cooke; his mother, Helen Quick Cooke; and his brother, Samuel Jr.

He leaves to cherish his memory his high school sweetheart and wife of 55 years, Patricia Hibbert Cooke; two sons, David F. Cooke II and his wife, Liz, and M. Todd Cooke and his wife, Lyn; five grandchildren, David III, Ellie, Allison, Finley and Amy Grace; two sisters, Syble Payne and her husband, Hollis, and Doris Melton; all of his faithful employees, and his beloved dog, J.R.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to friends and the staffs of The Cedars, Martha Jefferson Hospital, University of Virginia Medical Center and Hospice of the Piedmont who provided love and support during Dave's illness.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Dave Cooke Scholarship Fund at the University of Virginia Curry School, the Virginia Athletic Foundation or the First Baptist Mission Fund.

There will be a private graveside service for the family.

A public memorial service will be conducted 2 p.m. Saturday, July 25, 2009, at First Baptist Church Park Street.

Friends may sign the guest register at teaguefuneralhome.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.