Stephen Dean Cooke

Stephen Dean Cooke, age 82, of Buckhead, GA (Morgan County), passed away on July 21, 2025, at his residence. Born on May 21, 1943, in Norfolk, Virginia, he was the son of the late George Albert Alla Cooke and Ruth Harriet Perrine Cooke Whitmore.

Stephen graduated from Granby High School and earned his bachelor’s degree from Old Dominion University. He was a successful entrepreneur and a generous philanthropist, supporting organizations such as Emory University, Fernbank Science Center, the Steffen Thomas Museum, Alzheimer’s research initiatives, and numerous other worthwhile charities and civic projects.

He enjoyed reading, hunting, training dogs, and gardening—often donating much of what he grew to food banks in Morgan County. His generosity and jovial personality endeared him to everyone around him. He always tried to make the world a “gooder” place, as he liked to say, and he will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and community.

Stephen is survived by his nephews: George Albert Cooke, Jr. and wife Bonnie of Atlanta, GA; Michael Kenneth Cooke and wife Lisa of San Mateo, CA; Christopher Louis Tapia and wife Jennifer of Hendersonville, TN; and Matthew Gabriel Tapia and wife Tyler of Nashville, TN. He is also survived by cousins, great-nephews, great-nieces, and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Eve Lorraine Tapia of Brentwood, TN; his brother, George Albert Cooke of Madison, GA; and his stepfather, James Whitmore of Roswell, GA.

A private celebration of life will be held by the family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund.  https://curealz.org/giving/donate/ McCommons Funeral Home, located at 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626, is handling arrangements. Please visit www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to leave condolences and sign the online guest register.

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