Richard H. “Chip” Cooke, Jr of Charlotte, NC, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 28th at the age of 51. Born in Columbia, SC to Dick and Cathy Cooke, Chip and family moved to Charlotte in his early years, attending Charlotte Country Day School where he played soccer and lacrosse. He went on to play lacrosse collegiately at Hampton Sydney College in Virginia, before transferring to and finishing his undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Chip earned his Masters of Business Administration from Wake Forest University through the executive program while working at the family firm, Tax Management Associates. After a successful tenure with a consulting firm, Chip returned to the TMA family and spent the majority of his professional career working for, leading, and eventually owning the business.
While living at Wrightsville Beach, Chip met and married his loving wife of 20 years, Kathleen Nyilyk Cooke, and relocated to Charlotte shortly thereafter. An avid outdoorsman, Chip’s love for hunting and fishing was only outshadowed by his love of family, faith, country and friends. He and Kathleen were blessed with two wonderful sons, who share in his passion for the outdoors. As an active member of Myers Park Presbyterian Church, Chip served as an adult Sunday School teacher, confirmation leader, elder and participated in numerous mission trips to El Salvador.
Chip is survived by his wife, Kathleen, and sons, States and Smith; his parents Richard “Dick” Cooke (Sherry) and Cathy Fellows (Peter) and brother Mark, and numerous friends that are blessed with fond memories of Chip.
A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held at Myers Park Presbyterian Church on Friday, August 9th at 1:00PM. Family will receive friends in Oxford Hall immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Levine & Dickson Hospice House at Southminster or the Outreach Program of Myers Park Presbyterian Church.
