(March 25, 1950—June13, 2021)
His True Calling Was to Teach
Theodore W. Cook, who grew up in Rocky HIll, died surrounded by family on Sunday, June 13, at Gilcrest Hospice Center, Columbia. MD.
Ted, a son of a military family, was born in Washington, D.C. on March 25, 1950. He was the middle child of five and graduated from Princeton High School—Class of 1968.
He attended Mercer County Community College and began a career in retail management. At the age of 32, Ted made the decision to return to college with the intention to attend seminary. While enrolled in seminary, Ted realized his true calling was to teach.
Ted had the opportunity to teach in several schools and touch the lives of many. He began his teaching career in the Center for Learning at The Pennington School, where he was also director of the student center. He redesigned and fundraised for an updated student center, one of his happiest achievements.
He continued his teaching career at the Ruxton Country School (MD), Lake Ridge Academy (OH), and Chesapeake Academy (VA). In addition to teaching, he was a member of the coaching staff, coaching golf, soccer, and softball. He organized and coached the first softball team at St. Timothy's School (MD).
Ted was always the man to step up when he saw a need and enjoyed interacting with students and inspiring them to believe in their abilities. Ted retired after a successful 35-year teaching career.
Ted will be remembered as a kind, gentle, lighthearted, and loving husband, father, grandfather, son-in-law, brother, uncle, and loyal friend.
He is predeceased by his parents Col Edgar L. Cook, MD and Barbara L. Cook (Newcombe), brother David E. Cook, and beloved son, Scott W. Cook.
Ted married his high school sweetheart, Debbie (Young), in 1970 and they would have celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary on June 20. Ted will also be missed by his children and spouses – Peter T. Cook and his wife Cathy of Frankford, IL, and Dr. Kristin D. Cook, DDS and her husband Adam Boozer of Elkridge MD. Nothing surpassed his love for his grandchildren Hannah, Eleanor, Koal, Declan, Liam, and Kaitlin and he found great joy spending time with them.
Missing him also are his mother-in law, Eleanor P. Young of Elkridge MD; his brothers: Richard and his wife Trish and Steven and his wife Cindy; his sister, Valerie; sisters and brothers-in-law Beverly and Robert Cramer, Carolyn and Ben Foose, Maureen Cook, special nieces and nephews, and those like daughters Kim Lant and Heather Ireland.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his memorial service on July 24 at 1 pm in Campbell Memorial Presbyterian Church, 3712 Weems Rd. Weems, VA 22576, with a reception to follow.
His burial will be held on July 31 in the Rocky Hill Cemetery, 31 Montgomery Avenue, Rocky Hill, NJ 08553, where his family will receive relatives and friends from 9 am until his graveside service at 10 am.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be in Ted's memory to Chesapeake Academy, P.O. Box 8, Irvington, VA 22480 or The Pennington School, 112 West Delaware Avenue, Pennington, NJ 08543 or a charity of one's choice.
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