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September 20, 1931 –  September 7, 2015  Edward Duane Cook, Sr., age 83, of Victoria, TX, passed away Monday, September 07, 2015. Duane was born on September 20, 1931, in Filer Idaho to the late Otis J. and Edna Cook. He grew up in Gainesville, TX and graduated from Gainesville High School in 1948. He was an outstanding athlete, and was spotted by a scout for the Cleveland Indian organization while he played in Marietta, OK.
He played as a centerfielder for the Cleveland Indian Farm Team System from 1950-1952, when he was called to serve his country. He served in the Army during the Korean Conflict from 1953-1954. He always remembered the day when the armistice was signed, July 27, 1953, when the shooting stopped. He said it was the blackest, most silent night he ever witnessed.

After the war he returned to baseball and college. He graduated from North Texas State University in Denton, TX with a BBA degree in business and personnel management. He worked for 10 years as a Mobil Oil marketing executive in Dallas, TX. He then moved to the Victoria area because he thought it would be a great place to raise a family. He co-owned Red Carpet, Duane Cook and Associates and then purchased the Coldwell Banker Franchise. He sold real estate for over 30 years in the Victoria area.

He is survived by the mother of his children, Joann Bell Cook, three daughters, Joy Cook of Victoria, Gay Patek and husband Gary, of Victoria, April Jenkins and husband Scott of Argyle, two sons, Ed Cook and wife Debra of Denton and Chris Cook and wife Betsy of Gordonville, 12 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren, sister Norma Richardson of Gainesville and brother Harold Cook and wife Dorothy of Gainesville. He was preceded in death by his mother, father and baby brother.

Services will be held Saturday, September 12, 2015 at 10:00 am at Meador Funeral Home, 1204 East California St., in Gainesville, Texas with his son, Ed, officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery with the Honor Guard present. Visitation is Friday from 6-8pm at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, Duane asked donations be made to Grand Avenue Baptist Church, PO Box 1763, Gainesville, TX 76240. The family is grateful for all the prayers and condolences received. Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Isaiah 55:6