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Arthur Edwin Cook
<p>Arthur Edwin “Art” or “Cookie” Cook, an expert marksman, sports shooter and Gold Medal winner in the 1948 Summer Olympics in small-bore rifle, prone, passed unexpectedly but peacefully on February 21, 2021 at the age of 92.</p> <p>Art was born on 1928 in Washington, D.C. He is predeceased by his parents, Arthur Edward and Corda Prewet Cook, and an older sister, Dorothy Cook McCall. His father was in foreign affairs and served as the Undersecretary of Labor for Calvin Coolidge.</p> <p>During his time in the Boy Scouts as a child, Art began the sports of archery and rifle shooting. He won the Washington Junior Archery Championship at age 15, the first of many championships. He attended McKinley Tech High School and won the Washington, D.C. Junior Rifle Championship while there. He attended the University of Maryland, studying engineering and participating in the ROTC. In 1948, Art was the youngest shooter to win the U.S. Championship. He was a part of the 1948 Olympic Team, as well as being on the U.S. teams for the 1949 International Shooting Union World Championship, the 1951 Pan American Games, the 1952 ISU World Championships and the 1954 ISU World Championships. In addition to the Gold Medal in 1948, he won two medals at the 1949 World Championships and one medal in 1952. In 1953 and 1957, he won the National Gallery Rifle Championship. At the age of 20, he won a gold medal and set a world record at the 1948 London Summer Olympic Games.</p> <p>Art entered the Air Force in 1951 and was assigned to the Gunnery Officers School. While in the service he worked to develop and implement the USAF Marksmanship Training Program. In 1952, Art was sent to Walter Reed Hospital for an ailment and met Mary Maus, a nurse there. Mary and Art married on June 12, 1954, and Art taught Mary the art of shooting as well. He coached the U.S Deaf Olympic Team in 1969 and 1989. In 1982, he received the honor of being inducted into the University of Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame. A plaque of Mr. Cook is in the Xfinity Center on the campus of the University of Maryland.</p> <p>Art had many business ventures over the years, but never stopped his love of shooting and the occasional golf game with his wife. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Rockville, MD for over 50 years.</p> <p>Art is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary, as well as, son William Arthur (Gail, deceased), Jane Marie Spence (Charles) and James Joseph Cook. He also leaves behind two grandchildren, Corinne and Charles Spence.</p> <p>A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Rockville on March 2nd, at 11:30 am. His interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.</p> <p>Condolences may be sent to jspence0412@gmail.com.</p> <p>In lieu of flowers, donations in Art Cook’s honor may be sent to: Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington at 924 G St., Washington DC 20004; Covenant House Greater Washington at 2001 Mississippi Ave SE, Washington DC 20020; or a charity of your choice.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p>March 19, 1928 - February 21, 202103/19/192802/21/2021
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Arthur Edwin Cook
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