Lee Cook

Lee Flowers Cook passed away Tuesday, May 4, 2010, at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas from a sudden illness. The family will receive visitors from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 6, at Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main Street, Brenham. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 7, 2010, at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 305 West Third, Brenham, Texas, with Pastors Lawrence Bade and Phil Fenton officiating. Interment will follow at the Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham.

Lee was born on Nov. 10, 1953, in Jacksboro, Texas, the son of James and Pauline Flowers Cook. An outstanding high school athlete, Lee quarterbacked the Jacksboro Tigers his senior year to the Class 2-A Championship in 1971. He was named 1st team All-State quarterback for his efforts that season as well as being selected to play in the annual Oil Bowl and the Coaches All-Star Game at the end of the 1971 season. A "blue-chip" recruit, he was offered scholarships to play football at every Southwest Conference school, Oklahoma and all military academies. He chose TCU over other rivals. During a distinguished college career, Lee was named Most Outstanding Freshman Player in 1972, led the Southwest Conference in total yards passing in 1974, finished second in passing yardage in 1975 and was named the Dan D. Rogers Most Valuable Player at TCU in 1975. Lee held the TCU school record for longest punt for many years. He started as quarterback for the Frogs his sophomore, junior and senior years. He also earned a letter in golf his senior year distinguishing him as a rare multi-sport Division I-A letter winner. While quarterbacking the Frogs, he met a cute, fun cheerleader who would eventually become the love of his life and wife, Robin Winkelmann. Robin and Lee wed on August 2, 1975, at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Lee earned a Bachelors of Science in Education from TCU in 1976.

Following graduation, he became a graduate assistant football coach for the Frogs working on and completing his Masters of Education in 1977. In 1978, Lee joined Head Coach Lloyd Wassermann as an assistant high school football coach for Nederland High School. After a few years, Lee would leave coaching and enter the banking business, first in his home town of Jacksboro at Jacksboro National Bank. In 1983, Lee and Robin would move to Brenham where Lee worked first for Washington County State Bank and in 1991, joined Brenham National Bank. He rose to the position of Senior Vice President. Lee served in many community roles including as a former Rotarian, Economic Development Foundation director, Brenham Country Club director, Brenham Booster Club president, church council, communion assistant and usher.

Lee loved sports so it was no surprise that he served as a Little Dribblers coach as well as being a huge supporter of Cub Football and all sports at Brenham High. During the football season, Lee prepared a meal each week for the coaches' Sunday meetings. He always wanted to 'help out' in any way possible. Lee was also an active member of the TCU Letterman's Association as well as an avid golfer, marksman and Horned Frog fan.

Most important in his life was his family. He loved spending time with and adored Robin, his three daughters, Courtney, Caroline and Cathleen and two grandchildren. He believed and taught the virtue that family comes first. Lee was preceded in death by his father, James Cook; father-in-law, Dr. Robert A. Winkelmann; step father-in-law, M.E. 'Shorty' Trostle; and brother-in-law, John R. Williams.

Survivors include his mother Pauline Cook of Jacksboro; stepmother Joan M. Cook of Dallas; wife, Robin; daughters, Courtney Holm and husband, Nelson, of Fort Worth; Caroline Maxwell and husband, Wyatt of Dallas; and Cathleen Cook of Fort Worth; grandchildren, Hudson and Eleanor Holm; sister, Paula Williams of Jacksboro; brother, Jimmy Cook and wife, Karen of San Antonio; mother-in-law Lois Trostle of Brenham; brother-in-law, Rob Winkelmann and wife, Sherrie of Brenham; sister-in-law, Lori Hasskarl and husband, John of Brenham; sister-in-law Lois Kolkhorst and husband, Jim of Brenham; numerous nieces and nephews and many loving friends.

Serving as pall bearers are Ron Alfred, Darrell Blum, Donald Draehn, Paul Ehlert, David John Folschinsky, Atwood Kenjura, Tim Oehrleine, Ed Pothul, Walt Schoenvogel, Wade Seidel and Glen West.

Honorary pallbearers are the directors and staff of Brenham National Bank. Memorials may be made to the Lee Cook Memorial Fund, c/o Brenham Independent School District Education Foundation, 2211 South Day, # 330, Brenham, TX 77833, or St. Paul's Christian Day School, 305 West Third, Brenham, TX 77833, or the charity of your choice.

The family will receive visitors from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 6, at Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main Street, Brenham.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel.