Cameron Cooke

Robert Cameron Cooke transitioned to a different life on May 11, 2025. A service to celebrate his life will be held at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Greensboro, NC, May 31, 2025 at 2 PM. The family will receive guests following the service in the Haywood Duke Room.

Cameron was born August 3, 1937, at 9:45 P.M., in Charlotte, NC. His parents Aylene Edwards of Rutherfordton, NC and Robert Bruce Cooke, of Swepsonville, NC predeceased him.

Cameron lived in Mooresville, NC and Durham, NC, until his move to Greensboro, NC in 1964. He attended Calvert Method School (now Durham Academy), the public schools of Durham, Episcopal High School, and the University of North Carolina. He participated in many activities while in school, including sports, yearbooks and social clubs. He once, with friends, coached a Carolina fullback, a fraternity brother, about place kicking which lead to the extra point that beat Duke, 7 to 6.

Cameron’s professional career was as a lawyer both in corporate and private practice.

He is survived by his beloved wife Ann J. Ritter; three children, Mary Ruth (Reynolds) Faulkner, of Charlotte, NC, Robert Cameron Cooke, Jr. (Marnie) of Denver, CO and Caroline (Hank) Atkinson of Charlotte, NC; ten grandchildren and one great grandchild. He was formerly married to Mary Ruth Starling Hardy.

Cameron was active in Greensboro civic affairs. His work was that of a servant leader, one who leads others to find the best in themselves in dedicating their work to benefit the public.

Cameron served on the Greensboro City Council from 1981 to 1985. While a member of the City Council he participated in the Greensboro Dialogue Task Force, the organization that created the district form of government for Greensboro, which addressed past issues of racial representation.

Cameron served as a member and as the Chairman of the Greensboro Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau (1996-2001). In this capacity he has helped community organizations bring travel and tourism business to Greensboro and used community resources to maximize the benefit to Greensboro travel business. In preparation for this task, he has served as Chairman of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce Committee on Conventions and Trade Shows and on its Business Community Forum. Cameron also served on the War Memorial Coliseum Commission as its Chairman and assisted with its expansion to a multifunctional facility.

Cameron was active in promoting smart growth for the future of Greensboro. He was Chairman of the City Council appointed Steering Committee which developed the comprehensive growth plan, Connections 2025. In this capacity he helped the city reach out to and include all parts of the community in the public dialogue on Greensboro's future.

His preparation for this assignment came after two decades of public service. Among others, Cameron served as a member and as Chairman of the City of Greensboro City Board of Adjustment (1997-2001). He served as Secretary and Board member to Affordable Housing Management for forty years. He served on the Greensboro Community Resource Board. (1995-1998) and as a member of the Greensboro Housing Development Clearing Housing Commission (1977-1979), the Greensboro Preservation Society Board (1988-1993) and the Guilford County Multi Jurisdictional Committee.

In addition, Cameron has served Holy Trinity Episcopal Church on its Vestry and as a Sunday school teacher, Junior Warden and in the Faith and Grief program. He was active in many other spiritual endeavors such as the personal development program of Lifeways, Episcopal Cursillo, the Servant Leadership School and A Course In Miracles.

Cameron often acknowledged gratitude for his many spiritual teachers.

His charitable work did not end with his church. He was active with other groups including the Greensboro Artist's League, the Greensboro Day School Board (and as Chairman), the Greensboro Opera Company Board, Kairos, an international prison ministry (where he served as national president), and helped form and start the Interactive Resource Center, a day center for the homeless. He also volunteered as an Adjunct Chaplain at Moses Cone Hospital. Cameron was a member of the Greensboro Business League, Inc, which promoted African American business and Community Ventures, Inc. which serves as a fiscal agent for nonprofits and promotes community dialogue.

In his professional life he was a member of the Greensboro Bar Association and served a term as Program Chairman.

Cameron's love for people, life and the lengthy work for the wide variety of organizations underlines his dedication to public and spiritual improvement. He did this work as best he could, moment by moment, with a cheerful heart and a spirit of selflessness.

Cameron expressed his gratitude for the continuing loving care of his wife, Ann, the care received from Hospice and the staff of Moses Cone Hospital. Additionally, Cameron was so grateful for the many people who brought cards, made calls, brought food and just themselves to be with him. It meant a great deal to him.

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be given to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church of Greensboro, NC, Episcopal Cursillo, Kairos Prison Ministry International, Inc. of Orlando, FL, the Interactive Resource Center, Inc. or to the beneficial purpose of one’s choosing.