Joseph Clinton Cooke Jr.

Joseph Clinton Cooke Jr. was born in Washington, DC on October 11, 1955. Joseph Jr., lovingly nicknamed, Cooke, was one of three children born to caring and supportive parents, Joseph Clinton Cooke Sr and Gladys Scott Cooke.

Cooke received all of his education in Washington, DC attending Brightwood Elementary School, Paul Junior High School, Coolidge High School and Washington Technical Institute (WTI), where he majored in Computer Science. Yes…Cooke was fascinated by the new technology of that time; especially when the use of internet and computers were just starting to gain traction. So, his desire to learn more about Information Technology (IT), ultimately led to his career involving computers, database administration and network administration.

As a young boy, Cooke always had an interest in planning and strategizing how to make his life’s dreams come true. Cooke was a true Entrepreneur, constantly coming up with ways to make money so he could pay for a quality of life similar to what his parents provided for him and his siblings.

Cooke always had a legitimate hustle going on. Cooke cut grass, shoveled snow, and even bought a truck to pick up and deliver furniture. Cooke’s first weekly paying job was working for Kentucky Fried Chicken. Mom would take him and pic him up after a long day of cooking chicken. Every evening he would come home smelling like chicken, but that did not discourage him. Even though Cooke was not the oldest sibling, he was the first to move away from home.

Eventually, he partnered with his brother Steve, to start a limousine company they called “Luxury Unlimited.” And that is exactly what the company sought out to do: provide luxurious rides to famous people like Phyllis Hymen, John Kennedy’s sister and many local athletes. Their primary vehicle was gray 90’s Lincoln Limousine fully equipped with a TV, mini bar and telephone.

Cooke’s professional career eventually led him to work as a “Network Engineer” with several companies including NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and Verizon (formerly Bell Atlantic).

Cooke always had a sense of independence. He met Joanne Montgomery Dickerson, and had two sons from that partnership: Jermaine Cooke and Henry Dickerson. Joanne passed away on April 13th, 2018. Later in his life, Cooke added more joy to his family when he met Reiko and her daughter Kimi. They lived together and Reiko was always supportive, especially, when Cooke had to face multiple challenges with his diabetes, heart and kidney illnesses.

It is important to acknowledge and celebrate Cooke’s characteristics as a person. Cooke was a great father, loving partner, supportive sibling, and son who made his parents proud. He always emphasized the importance of not only having a plan, but a backup plan to the backup plan. Cooke believed in God and was thankful for his blessings. He was analytical, logical, methodical, and process oriented. He seamlessly encapsulated these attributes into his daily thought processes, actions and conduct towards others. He overplayed all this with compassion and added a tasteful sense of humor which made his demeanor and approach fluid and palatable. Some of his favorite actors/comedians were Richard Prior, Eddie Murphy and Steve Harvey. Some might say that Cooke took on some of the mannerisms of the funny guys that kept he and others laughing. Cooke cherished his family and definitely left positive, long lasting impressions on those who he encounter.

Cooke passed away to eternal life on February 8th, 2021. Cooke is survived by his sister, Sharon Cooke brother Stephen Cooke, and son’s Jermaine Cooke and Henry Dickerson. Both his parents are deceased. Cooke is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. We should all take solace, and our hearts should not be troubled in knowing that Cooke is at peace and is resting with the Father.