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John Winston Cook, a wonderful husband, father and friend, died peacefully on April 15, 2007. He was born in Madison, Wisconsin on October 24, 1921 to Maynard Albert and Chorale Boyd Cook, and was raised in Winnetka, Ill. He graduated from New Trier High School in 1939, then from Dartmouth College in 1943. Following graduation, John attended flight school with the Royal Air Force. During World War II, he served in the 348th Fighter Group, 342nd Squadron, flying P47 Thunderbolt and P51 Mustang fighters, attaining the rank of First Lieutenant. He was stationed in the Pacific Theater, specifically the Dutch East Indies and the Philippines. The camaraderie, dangers and excitement of World War II were favorite topics of conversation for the rest of his life, and gained him the respect and admiration of many. Following his military service, John moved to San Antonio where he began his career in the life insurance and real estate businesses. He enjoyed staying in touch with friends in the military through the years, and assisted many of them in purchasing homes and insurance. Together with his wife Bette, John co-brokered Cook Company Realty before joining Kuper Realty more than 20 years ago. He was a kind and gentle man who took a genuine interest in everyone he met. He is survived by his wife, Bette Ruth Williams Cook, daughters Marjorie Cook Hutcheson and her husband Palmer, of Houston, and Nancy Winston Cook of San Antonio. He is also survived by his son Frank Tyson Cook, and his wife Beryl, of Chicago. His grandchildren, who brought him great joy, are Nancy and Caroline Hutcheson, John Palmer Hutcheson, Jr. and his wife Lillian, Katharine and Elizabeth Cook. In addition, he is survived by his sister, Chorale Cook Page and her husband Edward, of Sarasota, Florida and his brother Maynard Boyd Cook, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. John enjoyed the Revelers and Los Alegradores Dance Clubs and was an avid bridge player and recreational sailor. He also was a member of Club Giraud, and of St. Lukes Episcopal Church for nearly 50 years. In 1985, he was made an honorary member of the 82nd Medical Detachment Helicopter Ambulance Group Dustoff for his longtime friendship and service to its members. The family wishes to thank his loyal caretakers during his final illness: Elsie Castillo, Consuelo Rodriguez, Anne Marie Vasquez, Angie Stewart and Maggie Rodriguez, as well as the staff at the ECTC-1 at the VA Hospital. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 19th at 11 a.m. at St. Lukes Episcopal Church, 11 St. Lukes Lane, with The Rev. Dr. Walter L. Prehn, III and The Rev. Katherine Riggs officiating. Honorary pallbearers are Craig Bertolett, Larry Burns, Charles Burton, Jack Dix, Palmer Hutcheson, J. P. Hutcheson, Paul Lloyd, George Rodgers, John Russell, Cornel Sarosdy, Richard Scott and Ed Taylor. For those desiring, the family requests that any donations in Johns memory be made to the charity of your choice.

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John Winston Cook

October 24, 1921 - April 15, 2007