Douglas Clare Cook

Doug Cook passed away in Toledo, Wednesday the 12th at the age of 90. Doug was born in Kent, Ohio, on Oct. 9, 1921. He was the President of the UpRite Hook Company and later Cook Industries, both manufacturers of drapery hooks and other wire products. Doug attended DeVilbiss High School and graduated from Wittenberg University. Doug was very sports oriented throughout his life. As a high school student, he lettered in track and competed in statewide competitions and was an avid horseback rider. Later he competed in Equitation, Show Jumping and Cross Country events with his daughters. He also loved riding in the Annual Thanksgiving Day Hunt in Michigan. Doug was a Corporal in the United States Army during World War II. One of the highlights of his service occurred in Iran where he was given the responsibility of being President F.D. Roosevelt’s immediate night guard and his personal wake-up attendant, when the President was in Tehran to meet with Stalin and Churchill. He loved boating on Lake Erie on his Chris Craft and Lyman boats (both called the Cookie Cutter). He enjoyed golfing, downhill and cross-country skiing and scuba diving into his 80’s, never discouraged by injuries. Combining his interests of scuba diving and photography, he went on to film, produce and present travelogues featuring his underwater explorations in Florida, Belize, Cancun, and the Dry Tortugas, under the name, Cook Film Artists. For this work, he was awarded a membership in the Adventurers Club in Chicago, Illinois. Doug served for three terms as Ohio Lieutenant Governor of the Kiwanis Club (Toledo). He was an active member for 54 years. He was a long time performing member of the Toledo Opera Chorus and the Sam Szor Society, and through his talents in photography, contributed extensively to the TOC’s archives. One year, Doug was selected by the New York Metropolitan Opera to sing as a baritone, when the NYMO performed throughout Ohio. He was a lead singer at Collingwood Presbyterian Church for many years. His other associations and memberships included Collingwood Presbyterian Church, American Legion #335, Maumee Elks, where Doug was a member for over 50 years and was the lead singer for many years; the Toledo Ski Club, Inverness Club, Catawba Island Club, Gravel Bar Yacht Club, Ohio Archeology Club, English Speaking Club, and The Toledo Museum of Art. Doug was a life time Trustee of the Boys and Girls Club of Toledo. He thoroughly enjoyed dancing at the Cotillion with his beloved wife, Marilyn, of 16 years. Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Charlotte Cook and siblings Wendell and Barbara DePrisco. He is survived is his wife, Marilyn Miller, and his daughters Carol (Paul) Lehmann, Mindy (Barry) Buck and Celeste (Bill) Williams, and grandchildren Hannah, Esther and Sophie Lehmann and Elizabeth and Drake Williams. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. For memorials, the family suggests the Boys and Girls Club (c/o The Earl G. Cook Fund) 2250 North Detroit Ave. Toledo, Ohio 436062 or Collingwood Presbyterian Church, 2108 Collingwood Blvd, Toledo, Ohio 43620. The Coyle Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Please view and sign the on-line guest registry at CoyleFuneralHome.com Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal.

Douglas Clare Cook

October 9, 1921 - October 12, 2011