James Curley Cooks Toledo, Ohio Obituary

James Curley Cooks

<p>Mr. James C. Cooks was born in Stephens, Arkansas on September 19, 1937 to the union of the late Curley &amp; Geneva P. Cooks. He made his spiritual transition on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at St. Vincent-Mercy Hospital. His brother, Charles Cooks, made his transition three days later on Saturday, August 6, 2016.</p><p>Mr. Cooks attended Scott High School and was called to serve in the United States Air Force. While serving his country, he also received his degree in the State of Texas. He was a member of Braden Methodist Church.</p><p>On January 18, 1959, James married the love of his life, Helen Sumner in Toledo, Ohio. To this union, was given five beautiful children. In 1967, Mr. Cooks was elected Vice President of the Professional Culinary Association of America. He was also a member of the Professional Institute of Chefs of America, President of Professional Chefs Association in Toledo; a board member of Christian Brothers, a life-long member of the NAACP; and a Big Brother and mentor for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Inc. Mr. Cooks’ passion as a professional chef spanned several years, working from 1960-1970 in the States of Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky for establishments such as Gladieux Catering, Louisville Downs Racetrack, the University of Michigan, various Holiday Inn franchises, Northwood Villas, Irish Hills Ski Lodge, the Franklin Park Mall, Griddle Cake Pancake House. From 1983-1989 he was the head chef for Meadowbrook Hall, Gladieux—River Cruise Line. He was also the exclusive caterer for the former Downtown Toledo Ramada Inn and the former Genesis Dreamplex. He was responsible for the design and startup of a pancake house and full-service restaurant in Toledo’s Franklin Park Mall in the 1970’s. One of the many highlights of his 50-year career as a professional chef,</p><p>manager and supervisor; in 1970, Mr. Cooks was one of only 25 African- American Owners and Operators of a McDonalds Restaurant nationwide. His restaurant in Toledo, Ohio, employed hundreds in the community,</p><p>especially young people, giving many of them their first job.</p><p>In 1990, together with his son, Michael and Dr. Charles Rowan, Club 300 Catering, Inc. was opened at 3304 Collingwood Boulevard. The first major contract was with the United States Army Reserve at the University of</p><p>Toledo, and also at their Monclova, Ohio location. Club 300 Catering, Inc. serves nutritional meals to several educational institutions, including many day care centers.</p><p>He and Helen had the opportunity to travel abroad to several countries in Africa (including but not limited to Kenya, Ghana and South Africa), receiving numerous honors from the various communities where they gifted</p><p>educational materials to several villages and towns. They also visited China, Mexico and Canada.</p><p>Mr. Cooks was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather leaving his legacy with his loving wife of 57 years, Dr. Helen Cooks, his three sons Michael (Linda), Myron and Melvin; two daughters Michielle and</p><p>Dr. Hope (William) Bland; his 12 grandchildren; LaShawnda, Michael Jr., Jaloni, Joseph, Jenell, Briana, Myron Jr., Michielle, Marcus, Eli, El and Melina and four great-grandchildren; siblings Joanne Moore, Vivian Butts,</p><p>Ardellia Cooks, and Carolyn Steward; adopted children Elaine Tait-Page, Vann Williams, Charles Stimmage, Naadede Badger-Plange and Naa Badger; godchildren Dexter and Glendale Johnson, Weldina Douthitt and</p><p>Deice Sawyers; a devoted friend and brother, Weldon Douthitt; very special friends, Senator Edna Brown, Lola Glover, Dorothy Arnold , Jimmy Badger, Thelma and Dwayne Clark; dedicated workers of the Club 300, along with Ronnie Trotter, Michael Jackson and Renee Gregory who he considered his sons and daughter; a host of relatives, friends and colleagues in the food and catering industry.</p>
August 3, 201608/03/2016
Share Obituary:

Share a memory

Add to your memory
Photos/Video
Candle
Mementos

Obituary

Mr. James C. Cooks was born in Stephens, Arkansas on September 19, 1937 to the union of the late Curley & Geneva P. Cooks. He made his spiritual transition on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at St. Vincent-Mercy Hospital. His brother, Charles Cooks, made his transition three days later on Saturday, August 6, 2016.

Mr. Cooks attended Scott High School and was called to serve in the United States Air Force. While serving his country, he also received his degree in the State of Texas. He was a member of Braden Methodist Church.

On January 18, 1959, James married the love of his life, Helen Sumner in Toledo, Ohio. To this union, was given five beautiful children. In 1967, Mr. Cooks was elected Vice President of the Professional Culinary Association of America. He was also a member of the Professional Institute of Chefs of America, President of Professional Chefs Association in Toledo; a board member of Christian Brothers, a life-long member of the NAACP; and a Big Brother and mentor for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Inc. Mr. Cooks’ passion as a professional chef spanned several years, working from 1960-1970 in the States of Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky for establishments such as Gladieux Catering, Louisville Downs Racetrack, the University of Michigan, various Holiday Inn franchises, Northwood Villas, Irish Hills Ski Lodge, the Franklin Park Mall, Griddle Cake Pancake House. From 1983-1989 he was the head chef for Meadowbrook Hall, Gladieux—River Cruise Line. He was also the exclusive caterer for the former Downtown Toledo Ramada Inn and the former Genesis Dreamplex. He was responsible for the design and startup of a pancake house and full-service restaurant in Toledo’s Franklin Park Mall in the 1970’s. One of the many highlights of his 50-year career as a professional chef,

manager and supervisor; in 1970, Mr. Cooks was one of only 25 African- American Owners and Operators of a McDonalds Restaurant nationwide. His restaurant in Toledo, Ohio, employed hundreds in the community,

especially young people, giving many of them their first job.

In 1990, together with his son, Michael and Dr. Charles Rowan, Club 300 Catering, Inc. was opened at 3304 Collingwood Boulevard. The first major contract was with the United States Army Reserve at the University of

Toledo, and also at their Monclova, Ohio location. Club 300 Catering, Inc. serves nutritional meals to several educational institutions, including many day care centers.

He and Helen had the opportunity to travel abroad to several countries in Africa (including but not limited to Kenya, Ghana and South Africa), receiving numerous honors from the various communities where they gifted

educational materials to several villages and towns. They also visited China, Mexico and Canada.

Mr. Cooks was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather leaving his legacy with his loving wife of 57 years, Dr. Helen Cooks, his three sons Michael (Linda), Myron and Melvin; two daughters Michielle and

Dr. Hope (William) Bland; his 12 grandchildren; LaShawnda, Michael Jr., Jaloni, Joseph, Jenell, Briana, Myron Jr., Michielle, Marcus, Eli, El and Melina and four great-grandchildren; siblings Joanne Moore, Vivian Butts,

Ardellia Cooks, and Carolyn Steward; adopted children Elaine Tait-Page, Vann Williams, Charles Stimmage, Naadede Badger-Plange and Naa Badger; godchildren Dexter and Glendale Johnson, Weldina Douthitt and

Deice Sawyers; a devoted friend and brother, Weldon Douthitt; very special friends, Senator Edna Brown, Lola Glover, Dorothy Arnold , Jimmy Badger, Thelma and Dwayne Clark; dedicated workers of the Club 300, along with Ronnie Trotter, Michael Jackson and Renee Gregory who he considered his sons and daughter; a host of relatives, friends and colleagues in the food and catering industry.

To plant a tree in memory of James Curley Cooks, please visit our Tribute Store.

Events

Aug
11
First Visitation
Thursday, August 11 2016
05:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Braden United Methodist Church
4725 Dorr Street
Toledo, OH 43615
Get Directions
View MapTextEmail
|%~|XML|~|%~| |%~|XML|~|%~| |%~|XML|~|%~|
Aug
12
Second Visitation
Friday, August 12 2016
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Braden United Methodist Church
4725 Dorr Street
Toledo, OH 43615
Get Directions
View MapTextEmail
Aug
12
Service
Friday, August 12 2016
11:30 AM
Braden United Methodist Church
4725 Dorr Street
Toledo, OH 43615
Get Directions
View MapTextEmail