Orval Edwards Cook

COOK, Orval Edwards 75, of Oakwood, passed away unexpectedly on July 19, 2008. Born in Dayton, he grew up in a military family and enjoyed the experience of living in many different places. Oakwood was home for many years where he was a student at Harman School and graduated from Oakwood High School in the class of 1950. He received his Mechanical Engineering degree from Cornell University where he was inaugurated into Sigma Alpha Epsilon social fraternity and Tau Beta Pi honorary fraternity. After serving in the U.S. Army at Redstone Arsenal, he attended Harvard Business School where he was a Baker Scholar for both years. He returned to Dayton to a position at NCR Corporation where he remained for 22 years. He then pursued a career in venture capital until the time of his death. In 2002 he was recognized for his leadership by the Miami Valley Venture Association. The pursuit of knowledge was a never ending quest for him. His leisure pursuits centered on skiing, fly fishing and tennis. He was an avid member of Slagle Trout Club and Virginia Hollinger Tennis Club. Over the last several years he devoted time and energy to support the Tennis Club. Orval is survived by his wife of 50 years Judy, two sons, Andrew (Ann) in Grosse Pointe, Michigan and Bruce in Westerville, Ohio. Also he leaves three grandchildren, Daniel, Robin and William. A memorial service at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 33 West Dixon Ave. will celebrate Orval's life at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 23. The family will receive friends after the service in the cloister. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Oakwood Schools Foundation, 20 Rubicon Rd., Dayton, 45409 or Virginia Hollinger Memorial Tennis Club, 210 Shafor Blvd., Dayton, OH 45419. Condolences and other remembrances may be sent to the family by visiting www.routsong.com