Couple’s legacy lives on through endowment fund

David and Sue Cook made community a centerpiece of their lives, a legacy that will live on with an endowment fund honoring them through the Tipp City Foundation.

The Cooks, who were married 65 years, both passed away earlier in 2025. He was 86, she was 83. With their passing, their children, Chad Cook, his wife, Stephanie, and sister Dianne Lytle, created the Dave and Sue Cook Community Fund within the Tipp City Foundation. The endowment will support the Tippecanoe Historical Society and Community Minded Women, with each organization receiving 50 percent of award dollars yearly, Chad Cook said.

Sue Cook was the first to suggest setting up a fund with the local foundation, but she passed before the fund was created, he said. "Dianne and I decided we should honor both of them by having the fund support all the great organizations they participated in that brought so many great things to Tipp City.  Of the organizations that are eligible for Foundation funds, we felt the Tippecanoe Historical Society and the Community Minded Women represented them well.  This would honor Mom’s wishes to promote genealogy as well as honor both of them from their involvement in the Historical Society,” Chad Cook said.  The organizations have not decided how the funds will be used. “Dad spent a lot of time at the museum and writing stories and newsletters after his retirement,” Chad Cook said. “Mom had a special place in her heart for the young females of the community, wanting them to succeed in life, one of the big reasons she ran for council.”

The Cooks both served on the Tipp City Council, and as the community’s mayor. Sue Cook was the first female mayor. The Cook fund honors not only the Cooks but friends and family who participated with them in many organizations and projects such as Tipp City Jaycees and the Jayceettes, as charter members of the Tippecanoe Historical Society and the proposal and approval of the city’s charter. Sue Cook loved anything Christmas-related, researching genealogy for her family and others’, serving as a poll worker, repairing dolls and becoming an antiques dealer.

David Cook studied engineering and held architect licenses in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. He was involved in the design of many projects both through his employment and during his personal time. Among them was the design of the senior citizens renovations on South First Street, residences including for local homebuilders and special projects such as the West Main Barber Shop, Helen Timmer Pavillion in Thomas Kyle Park and renovation of the City Park Roundhouse. "I don’t think they would have wanted their names on the fund.  All of their service has been accomplished in groups with friends and family,” Chad Cook said. “That’s why we added ‘Community’ to the name.  We wanted the fund to represent Mom and Dad and all their great friends that have done so much service establishing so much for Tipp City and its citizens.”

The Cooks have four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Donations can be made to the Dave and Sue Cook Community Foundation by visiting https://thetroyfoundation.org/tippcityfoundation or by mailing a check to the Tipp City Foundation, P.O. Box 626, Tipp City, Ohio, 45371.