Kenneth F. Cooke

Kenneth F. Cooke passed away on May 31, 2013 at the age of 93. Ken was born on January 1, 1920 in Hartford, CT to Wilbur Francis and Marie Siebert Cooke. He attended schools in Hartford and upon graduation started his lifelong insurance career at the Aetna Life and Casualty. His business career was interrupted in 1942 when he joined the U.S. Air Corps serving in this country and the Pacific theater until 1946 and again in 1950 during the Korean Conflict. He moved to Chicago in 1955 as VP of the Reserve Insurance Co. but his best move came in 1962 when he married Annette Secunde. In 1971 he came to Houston as President of an insurance company but 5 years later his entrepreneurial spirit prompted him to form his own agency, KENCO, through which he served numerous individuals and companies as a management consultant. Ken and Annette traveled extensively throughout their marriage to North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Ken captured many of these trips on film as well as the dozens of cruises they took. Besides photography, his other interests included music which he shared with many others, a vicarious appetite for reading, but most of all, a genuine caring for people. He was active for many years in the Memorial Spring Branch Optimist Club serving in numerous capacities including club President and later as Chairman of the Speakers program acquiring more than 1000 speakers. In 1997 he and Olin Humphries co-founded the Eagle Squadron, a bi-monthly lunch group boasting of “no rules, no dues, no officers, etc”, just good fellowship. He will be fondly remembered as a good friend to many as well as an elegant gentleman of good taste with a keen mind and a generous spirit. He leaves a great void in many lives. His beloved wife of many years, Annette, preceded him in death. Ken and Annette moved to Parkway Place Retirement Residence in 2006 where they enjoyed their final years together. Following a graveside service at Forest Park Westheimer on June 7, 2013 at 10:00 am, a celebration of his wonderful life will be held at Parkway Place, 1321 Park Bayou Dr. at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Buckner Hospice, 11111 Katy Freeway, #620, Houston 77079 or The Memorial Spring-Branch Optimist Foundation Houston, P.O. Box 79766, Houston 77279.