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Wayne Peter Cook, 72, died March 27, 2021 with several of his children at his side.
Wayne was born on July 24, 1948 in West Point, New York to Wallace and Priscilla Cook. Wallace worked for IBM and they moved to Kentucky in 1960. Wayne attended Lafayette High School and went on to law school at the University of Cincinnati. He received his J.D. in 1975 and served as an attorney in Lexington for 46 years. Wayne was an Army veteran of the 101st Airborne Division and fought courageously in Vietnam. Wayne married his high school sweetheart, Jo, in 1966. They were married for 47 years until Jo’s death in 2014. He enjoyed golf and cards, watching sports, playing with his grandchildren and vacationing with his family every summer in Hilton Head.
Wayne is survived by his children, Tara Cook, Emily Walden, Adam (Kayla) Cook, Eric (Liz) Cook; 11 grandchildren; and his siblings: Paul (Gail) Cook, Cheri (Dennie) Swetnam, and Michelle (Ralph) Whitaker. Wayne was preceded in death by his wife, Jo, and his grandson, TJ Walden.
Visitation for Mr. Cook will be from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Tuesday, March 30th at Milward - Man O'War located at 1509 Trent Blvd. Funeral service will begin at 10:00 am, Wednesday, March 31st at the funeral home with interment to follow in Lexington Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Dennis Bradley, Alan Ramsay, Philip Bradley, Haydon Cook, Grant Cook, Jacob Cook, Isaac Cook and Paul Cook.
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John Beatty (Jb) Cotnam
My step-father Leonard P, Henry knew his father at IBM Lexington. I am a second generation IBMer and retired from the IBM Austin Plant [30 years]. IBM Lexington management had sock hops for the kids in the IBM Plant Cafeteria and i remember the excersions paid by the IBM Lexington Management and sponsored by its IBM Club such as the trip on the Bell of Louisville and the trip to North Carolina.[ I have pictures that were taken while on those excersions,] I saw Wayne and his parents at the sock hops and on the excersions,
In school he was a good friend and will miss him,
John Beatty Cotnam, Nashua New Hampshire
William Franklin (Will) Buck
I confess I have neither seen nor talked to Wayne since June 1966 but back in the day.... James Lane Allen Elementary opened its doors for the first time in September 1958 and marching into Mrs. Zonker's fifth grade classroom were Wayne and myself. We sat alphabetically so I was directly in front of Wayne for seven hours a day in both fifth and Mrs. Hacker's sixth grade classes. That turned out to be a "treat" because Wayne had a cool NY vibe about him having grown up in a much more diverse culture. Little did I suspect that first day that I would be his playful foil for two years. About once a week he would stick his wet finger in my ear and when I would turn around and say, "DO NOT stick your wet finger in my ear" he would always, yes every time, say "that wasn't my finger". Wayne had a full head of blonde hair back then that he put product in and combed numerous times a day like James Dean. 77 Sunst Strip was the hot TV show back then and Edd Byrnes played Kookie who had the exact same hair. Being the savants that we were we immediately nicknamed Wayne "Kookie" and I still called him that at our 1966 graduation party the last time I saw him. Anyway, he was a good guy with a big heart and someone you always wanted on your side. #RIP#
Melanie Dale Rhorer (McCloud)
A wonderful and honest lawyer. Jo Cecil and Wayne were both devoted to each other and their family. RIP Wayne.
Patty Ann Vance (Moore)
It was with much sadness that I read this about Wayne. He and I were lucky to have grown up as part of the Gardenside gang. We shared so many great times during the summers at the Cabana Club and attended school together at James Lane Allen, Leestown and, of course, Lafayette. The fun never stopped at LHS during those wild and crazy band days, and it was the band that brought Wayne and Jo Cecil together. I'm sure his wonderful sense of humor and mischievous behavior are fondly remembered by many. Looking back, those simplier times were certainly the best of days. Rest well, my friend.
William Franklin (Will) Buck
Reading Patty Vance Moore's entry makes me want to amplify mine to not only capture Wayne's playful mischievous side but also the fact he was easily the most popular and probably coolest boy in our 10 - 13 age group. (He was in Mrs. Williams 7th grade class as well but that year we could sit anywhere we wanted and I promise I was not the desk in front of Wayne.) I especially can not believe I did not mention the Gardenside Cabana Club which had an especially high diving board to go along with the regular board. Wayne owned that board. I don't even know the official names of many of his dives from hand stands to triple flips to simple high graceful dives. After swimming many of us would play ping pong with the winner continuing to play "next". Some days Wayne would not sit down for a couple of hours. He was filled with what coaches would later call "quick twitch" muscle fiber. If he had better eye sight he would have made an excellent high school athlete. Anyway, Wayne was the leader of many of us Gardenside area guys and gals who were coming of age as the 60s were dawning. Memories are going to be a touching part of our 2020s.