Carroll C. Cook, Sr.

Carroll Clarke Cook, Sr. of Austin, TX passed away May 28, 2015 at age 91. He was born in Austin, TX on Nov. 12, 1923 to Marion Polk Clarke Cook and Carroll Edwin Cook. His early childhood was spent traveling to oil boom towns in Texas with his parents. His father was one of the premier geologists identifying major plays for Standard Oil/ESSO/Exxon. In the 1930s he moved to New Orleans for his middle school years. In 1939 he attended Choate Preparatory School, graduating at the age of 15 (one of the youngest graduates at the time). In the fall of 1941, he began his freshman year at The University of Texas in Austin. After Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Army in the spring of 1942. He said he would never forget the bells on the UT campus ringing "You're in the Army Now". WWII was a defining time in his life, fighting primarily in France and Germany as a machine gunner. He served with Company I of the 410th Infantry Regiment 103rd Infantry Division, reaching the rank of 1st Lieutenant through battlefield commissions. He enjoyed attending his Army reunions, reuniting with fellow comrades who were more like brothers. After getting out of the Army in August 1946, he completed his BBA degree at UT, and earned an MBA from Harvard 1948-50. The oil business was in his blood, working in many states over 40 years: Ponca City, OK (Continental Oil), Houston, TX (Continental Oil), Corpus Christi, TX (Delhi Taylor), Dallas, TX (Delhi Taylor), Jacksonville, FL (Delhi Taylor, Billups East, HESS), Eldorado, AR (Murphy Oil), Shreveport, LA (Atlas Processing) ending his career with 18 years at Pennzoil Products Company as a Sr. VP Sales and Marketing in Houston, TX. He was a family man who raised and educated six children basically all on his own. From his first wife Margaret Virginia Doak Cook (deceased): Carroll Clarke Cook, Jr. (deceased), Virginia Burke Cook Hickson (husband David with children Samantha Hickson Barr, Meredith and Caroline Hickson), Patricia Polk Cook (daughter Kelli Mijares) and Edwin Doak Cook (wife Shannon and daughters Jessica Lovelace and Alexis Cook). From his second wife and love of his life Phyllis Jane Arford Cook (deceased): Elizabeth Arford Cook McMillian (husband Scott and children Morgan and Connor McMillian) and son Phillip Arford Cook (deceased). An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed fishing and hunting as noted by the number of mounts that adorned his home. His premier hunting experience was hunting South Africa with his family where he took a black mane lion and a huge leopard the natives gave him the name "M'Kulu" The Great One. His fondest memories in recent years were times shared with family and friends at his Tres Chivos Viejos Ranch in Mason, TX. All enjoyed hearing his old war stories and life experiences all knew you could learn a lot from listening to one of the Greatest Generation's stories. He could walk into a room filled with people and in a matter of minutes, all were seated surrounding him, listening to him recount stories he was that kind of man. His family would like to thank his doctors at Austin Heart and WellMed of Austin who ensured his good health for 91 years. We also thank his caregivers from Caring Solutions of San Antonio and the staff of Embrace Hospice for their exceptional loving care and tireless support. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be made to the University of Southern Mississippi- Department of Military History. Notate on the memo line: In Memory of Carroll C. Cook, Sr. 103rd Inf. Div WWII Assoc. Please mail donations to: Tom Swope, 7631 Fairview Ave., Mentor, OH 44060. The University of Southern Mississippi houses the museum for the 103rd Inf. Division. Donations may also be made to Wounded Warriors or the charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held Thursday, June 11th, 2015, 5 PM at The Austin Club, 110 E. 9th Street Dr., Austin, TX.