Cooke Is Eulogized as Pioneer

Friends of Washington Redskin owner Jack Kent Cooke eulogized him as a charmer, a bully, a bon vivant and keen competitor during his invitation-only funeral in a tiny country church Thursday.

More than 400 family members and friends, including some of pro football’s biggest names, filled the pews and extra chairs or stood along the walls of Trinity Episcopal Church for the 45-minute service.

Cooke, 84, died Sunday of heart disease.

His son and heir as Redskin owner, John Kent Cooke, said he regretted that his father did not live to see the team play its first game in a new stadium that will bear his name.

The Redskins will play their first game in Jack Kent Cooke Stadium this year in Landover, Md.

“Many have said, kindly, that they wish my father could have lived to see the completion of his last great accomplishment,” Cooke said. “I say to you that he saw it more clearly than we all will this coming fall. He envisioned it a decade ago. He fought for it over that time, and he built it in a hurry.

“It was his creation. It is his stadium and it will bear his name. Let this be the final tribute.”

Dallas Cowboy owner Jerry Jones and NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue were among the guests, who included a sampling of associates from Cooke’s vast and diversified holdings in sports, media and real estate.

The mourners laughed as speakers told tale after tale about Cooke’s legendary temper and imperious manner, said Joe Gibbs, who coached the Redskins to three Super Bowl victories.

“It was just fun being on his coattails,” Gibbs said.