Edward Hahn Cook

Edward Hahn Cook (lovingly known as Daddie Eddie) was born January 10th, 1935, with deep Oklahoma roots. Ed passed peacefully at his home on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021. He was 86, the oldest of two brothers born to Vernon E. Cook and Lelia Hahn Cook. In 1891 his grandfather, Ed L. Hahn, founded a funeral home that sat for many years on the edge of Nichols Hills. From the family compound named Hahn Haven on pastoral Lake Aluma, Ed attended Edgemere Elementary School, and then entered Casady School. Ed was quite popular and graduated in 1953 with honors, receiving Casady’s first Award for Outstanding Achievement and The Dartmouth Cup. Ed then entered Yale University, played Freshman soccer, joined the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, and volunteered for service in the US Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps. Ed graduated from Yale in 1957 with a degree in Political Science and Economics.

Ed married Nancy Gayle Woods, the daughter of pioneering oil man Roy G. Woods, based in Oklahoma City, and was soon called into service for the United States Navy. In June 1957 he was assigned to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, aboard the Fletcher-class destroyer, U.S.S. Philip. Ed aced his combat and flight controller training, became a Naval Officer, and made three six-month escort squadron voyages to the Western Pacific. Ed rose to the rank of Lieutenant, (J.G.), and became Operations Officer and 3rd in command aboard the U.S.S Philip. He was honorably discharged in 1960, and served until 1965 in the U.S. Naval Reserves.

Throughout the 1960s Ed developed a deep sense of civic duty. He embarked on his civilian career at Woods Petroleum Corporation, and then in the family-owned funeral home, Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper. In 1971 Ed married Kaye Louise Johns, to whom he remained married for 48 years until her passing in 2019. Ed joined the Kiwanis and quickly began rising through the ranks of leadership at the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce. Tinker Air Force base proved integral in Ed’s development as a capable civic force during a new era of economic and cultural development in and around Oklahoma City. Ed ensured that Tinker was not part of the Air Force downsizing in 1972, 1982, and again in 2005.

Ed’s reputation as a gifted and able leader continued to grow, and he served as chairman of the

Oklahoma City United Way campaigns in 1971 and 1987. He was first Executive Director of the Myriad Botanical Gardens in 1971, and the Botanical Tube. In the late 1970s Ed answered calls for leadership with Oklahoma City University, Allied Arts, the Omniplex (now the Science Museum), the Arts Council of Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma Art Center, the Oklahoma Symphony, the Oklahoma City Ballet, and the Oklahoma Theater Center. Ed was named President of the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce in 1982.

If you asked Ed, he would tell you his most long lasting and impactful achievements as President of the Chamber was passage of the constitutional amendment authorizing liquor-by-the-drink in Oklahoma in 1984. Liquor-by-the-drink attracted countless projects to the area, among them Remington Park race track, and the emergence of Bricktown.

In 1995 Governor Frank Keating asked Ed to join his Administration, and Ed was honored to become Oklahoma’s Director of Tourism and Recreation. Ed answered Governor Keating’s call, which included completing unfinished business from 1917 when the Oklahoma State Capitol was built. WW II might have prevented the original plans to include a dome on the Capitol Building, but the Governor’s vision and Ed’s fundraising efforts changed the Oklahoma landscape forever when it was completed in 2002. Fittingly, atop the Dome now stands The Guardian, a bronze statue that represents Oklahomans everywhere, who, like Ed, have always stood tall and proud for their great State.

Throughout his life, Ed loved to flyfish at his beloved 4UR Ranch in Wagon Wheel Gap Colorado. He faithfully passed his bamboo fly rod skills to each of his children as a right of passage - how to cast, read the river, and be stealth in approach. But nothing put a smile on his face like the Friday fish fry at 4UR with his family. Ed was an avid bird hunter, loved to rise early, and felt one could never be too prepared. All road trips were meticulously planned, especially to Colorado, down to the snacks packed to perfection in coolers. Ed was a longtime member of the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club where he enjoyed his many golf buddies and his H. Upmann cigars. Ed was also a passionate Sooner fan. Every Fall, he and Kaye enjoyed warm bouillon in the cold seats at Memorial Stadium. Ed adored his Yankees too. Ed was a loving son, husband, brother, a father to six children, and a leader in his community with an unending sense of civic duty.

Ed is predeceased by his wife of 48, years Kaye Louise Cook; his son Edward Hahn Cook II; his brother, Vernon E. Cook; and his nephew George Cook. Ed is survived by his daughter Jennifer Cook Lewis and her husband Chris; son Scott Glenn Cook; stepchildren Kerri Ellis Davis, Jay Ellis, and Will Ellis; grandchildren Alexa Cook Sherman and her husband Augie; Jessica Cook; Robby Lewis and his wife Amanda; Chelsea Lewis; Charli Lewis; Woods Cook; Ethan Cook; Jennifer Davis; Katheryne Davis; Kayla Ellis; Meagan Ellis; nephew Bennett Cook; and Ed’s great-granddaughter Isla Rose Sherman.

A proud son of Oklahoma, Ed treasured Oklahoma City, and deeply cherished his beloved friends and associates who provided him so much joy throughout his life.

Due to the pandemic, celebration of life and funeral services have not yet been announced. Ed had an enduring love of Casady. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Casady School, 9500 N Pennsylvania Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73120, in his memory.