Lowell T. Cooke

Monterey - Lowell Cooke, 79, peacefully passed away at home with loving wife at his side after a long and bravely fought battle with cancer. He was born October 24, 1931 to Basil Cooke and Malinda Rose-Cooke in Harmco, West Virginia and graduated from Mullens West Virginia High School at age 16. A year later he joined the Air Force and spent 24 years with Air Weather Service retiring in 1972 with the rank of Major. While stationed in Tallahassee, Florida in 1961 he earned his BS at Florida State University and in 1966 received his MS in Atmospheric Science at University of Missouri, here he met his future wife. They were married in England in 1968. Lowell was very proud to be serving in the air Force where his career took him to many interesting assignments in the United States, including Washington, D.C. and Alaska. He spent 3 years in Wiesbaden, Germany and also served in Vietnam. After Lowell returned from the military he and his wife move to the Mississippi gulf coast where he worked for NASA for two years, another move in 1974 brought them to San Carlos, California where Lowell again worked for NASA. In late 1975 they decided to move back to their home in Mississippi and Lowell attended law school for a year, then decided he did not want to be a lawyer. He applied for and was offered a position as meteorologist in Douglas, Arizona. In 1979 the couple decided they would like to settle permanently in California and choose Monterey where Lowell was employed by EDS and Fleet Numerical. Then in 1991 he was hired by CTB/McGraw-Hill where he worked for 17 years until his retirement in 2008. After his family, golf was the love of Lowell?s life and he played the game until 6 months before his death. Lowell is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Nina, his 3 children; Michael (Sarah), daughter Victoria and son Thomas; three grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Lowell was a generous, caring and loving husband, who will be missed by all his family and his many longtime friends. The family wishes to especially thank Dr. Nancy Rubin for her care and compassion, the staff at Monterey Bay Oncology who took such good care of Lowell, thanks also to Dr. Patrick Feehan and Dr. W. Verlenden, the Staff at VNA Hospice for their great care and comfort, and thanks also to Lowell?s caregivers Paulina, Eleanor and Elizabeth. God bless you all. There will be a memorial service with full military honors at the Naval Post Graduate School Chapel, Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 2 pm followed by a reception at Hermann Hall. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the SPCA, the American Cancer Society of donor?s choice.