COLUMBIA - A memorial service for Crawford Cook, originally planned for the Williams Brice Stadium, will be held at noon on Saturday, October 22, 2016, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel. The visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 21, 2016, at the funeral home. He passed away Sunday morning October 16, 2016 after a brief illness.
He is survived by his wife, Shelia Phillips Cook; daughters, Christie V. Sellars (William) of Spartanburg, Cheryl V. Savage (Andy) of Charleston, Angela A. Cook of Nashville, Tennessee, Lara Hobby Covlin (Michael) of Belleville, Illinois; and son, Sean C. Cook of Wilmington, North Carolina. Proudly, he is survived by grandchildren, Brady Crawford Hobby and Sydney Alexandra Hobby of Belleville, Illinois, Andrew Savage II (Ashlyn) of Charleston and Heywood Moore, Jr. (Nancy) of Manning, Katie Sellars Johnson (Kyle) of Columbia and Patrick Sellars of Columbia. His great-grandchildren are Andrew Savage and Thomas Savage of Charleston and Ella and Wallis Johnson of Columbia and Heyward Moore, II and Emma Moore of Manning. Additionally, he is survived by a gaggle of friends, young and old.
Cook spent the majority of his professional life in and around politics and politicians. Early in his career, he covered the South Carolina state legislature for United Press International and was Vice President for Public Relations for the South Carolina Municipal Association. Crawford c0-founded the advertising firm Cook-Ruef & Associates, one of the nation’s first successful national political consulting firms and served as its Chair and Chief Executive Officer for more than thirty years. He advised Democratic candidates across the nation, including former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. Among his international clients was Saudi Arabia, which employed him in 1978 to represent the kingdom’s interests in the United States.
Crawford took great pride in leading the campaigns which elected Ernest “Fritz” Hollings to the United States Senate and John C. West Governor of South Carolina. He considered his signature professional accomplishments to be the successful campaigns to elect the first two African Americans since Reconstruction, Representatives I.S. Leevy Johnson and Jim Felder, to the South Carolina General Assembly. He was an early supporter and close confident to James H. Hodges who described Cook as a “terrific, sensible, smart person who cared about South Carolinians.” He was awarded the Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest civilian honor by Governor John C. West for guiding legislative efforts to make Winthrop University a co-educational institution and to create a second medical school at the University of South Carolina.
Crawford was born in Charleston, South Carolina on October 9, 1934, the son of Genevieve Sturken Cook and J. Crawford Cook, Jr. He attended parochial schools in Charleston and graduated from the College of Charleston where he played basketball. He served as a trustee for the Winthrop University Foundation and for the Southern Center for International Studies in Atlanta. His biggest regret was failing to break 80 on the golf course.
Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice or to Smile Train at 41 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010, the Hollings Library at the University of South Carolina at 1322 Greene Street, Columbia, SC 20208; or to Winthrop University at 701 Oakland Avenue in Rock Hill, SC 29733.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
October 22, 2016
Delores Logan
Sheila, my deepest condolences to you and your family.
Be comforted by your memories of this extraordinary man and his accomplishments. He made the world a better place.
October 21, 2016
Henry Levkoff
Sheila,
I was so very sorry to hear of Crawford's passing. I worked with him at Cook Ruef during my early years in advertising. I have only fond memories of my time there, and I well know that the hard work, camaraderie, the real friendship, the gentle smiles that were so much a part of my experience there emanated from the top down. It was that kind of place because he was that kind of person. Crawford will alway have my admiration and appreciation.
October 21, 2016
Ginny Covlin
You are in our thoughts-
Allan and Ginny Covlin
October 21, 2016
suzanne schreiner
We are so very sorry for your loss of Crawdad. We shared many good laughs in Big Sky, and know you will be missed by all.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Andrew, Suzanne, Harrison and Mazie
Big Sky, MT
October 20, 2016
Jeff Brooker, MD
Sra. Cook y toda la familia:
Le extiendo mi más sentido pésame. Espero que todas las memorias buenas le sirven para disminuir el dolor que debe estar sintiendo ahora en la hora de muerte de él. Él tuvo una gran vida y muchas amistades buenas.
October 20, 2016
Meg Porter Stanley
Crawford took interest in the early days of my career providing advice that has remained with me on life's journey. His charm, intellect, and wit will be missed in this world.
October 20, 2016
Jan Jernigan
Crawford was one of the finest men I knew. He always looked so dapper and it was such a joy to spend time with him. He definitely will be missed. To Sheila and his family, you have my heartfelt sympathy. He loved you all so very much!
October 20, 2016
Doug Dent
Crawford gave me my first real job as a field worker in the 1966 Hollings Campaign and then we all went to Washingtong together. Crawford was a friend and mentor for 50 years. Our friendship had a profound impact on me and I will miss knowing he was there. One of the great political minds in SC
history and a loyal friend. He will be greatly missed.
October 20, 2016
james Cook MD
My father James Ralph Cook was the brother of Joseph Crawford Cook's father. Joseph Crawford Cook had a notable career, and our family will miss him.
October 19, 2016
Bob Wislinski
A very intelligent human being with tremendous personal integrity. He will be missed. Bob Wislinski
October 19, 2016
John Hussey
Crawford was a close friend for many years when we were younger, working for UPI, then he was instrumental in introducing me to Fritz Hollings, who hired me as press secretary in 1969. Over the years, I tried to keep in touch, but as our paths diverged, we lost touch. I hired Crawford when I was at Monsanto, and his firm did a great job for us. I deeply regret that he has passed without my being able to reconnect with him. My condolences to his family.
October 19, 2016
The Lunans
Crawford was a part of our lives for many, many years and we were very sorry to hear that he'd passed. God rest and keep him. Sheila, Angela, Cheryl, Laura and Sean, we'll keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
October 18, 2016
Angela: I am sorry to hear about your dad. Hope you are doing well and you are in my thoughts.
October 18, 2016
Sheila, Thanks for sharing Crawford for all these years. He was a gentleman and raconteur of the highest order.
Cari and David Rudd
October 18, 2016
Russell Shuler
Dear Sheila,
I was so shocked and saddened by the news of Crawford's passing. The world has just a little less class today because of his departure. He was truly a great man and I will always be thankful for having had the pleasure of working for him and counting him as a dear friend. It wasn't really apparent to me just how great he was until I moved away from Cook Ruef and Associates, and worked with others in the field. His quick wit and warm smile were something you could always count on, like the best sunrise you ever saw. We will be thinking only the best for you and your family. Take care of yourself.
Russell (a.k.a "Bubba" to Crawford) and Fran Shuler
October 17, 2016
Bud Tibshrany
I was shocked to learn of the death of my good and long-time friend, Crawford. I will miss seeing him at the Fort Jackson Golf Club.
October 17, 2016
Malissa BUrnette
Dear Sheila and Family,
It's difficult to find the right words to bring you the comfort we want to offer during this time, but please know that Mike and I are here for you. We will miss Crawford and his mischief, his wisdom and mostly his being a good man, husband, friend and neighbor. Sheila, we will see you soon.
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