So, I’m a newspaper editor now. At first I was so nervous about taking this position but I have the backing of my parents, brother and sister-in-law. They told me I have just as much ink in my blood as anyone else in the family.
I have worked for newspapers all my adult life, but never in this capacity. So while I’m a little nervous that just means I want to do a good job for our readers.
My friends were very blasé about the whole thing when I told them. I got lots of blank stares and, “I thought you were already the editor.” No, I was the general manager.
So I guess I made the right decision. At any rate I’m excited about it.
I’ll get to do lots of exciting things like go to city council and school board meetings. Does that not sound exciting to you? My friend and city council member, Denise Holmes Wallace, tells me that at city council meetings I will be on the edge of my seat for the entire four hours.
I ought to feel comfortable in this role since there has been a Cooke at The Rockdale Reporter for 110 years. I have photos of all of my predecessors in my office so I can look at them and feel the connection. And 110 years worth of their writing to inspire me.
Here’s a little history to bring us up to date.
My great-grandfather, John Esten Cooke, was born in Cleveland, TN, April 7, 1873. He came to Texas at age four and spent much of his boyhood in Bonham. He attended Fannin College and Carlton College at Bonham. He began newspaper work in 1892 on the Denton News and was with the San Angelo Standard two years. He purchased the Clarendon Banner-Stockman in 1899, and in March 1909 he established the Brady Standard. He purchased the Rockdale Reporter and Messenger in June 1911.
The Rockdale Reporter and Messenger dates back to 1873, one year before the city of Rockdale was named. John Esten and his wife, Agnes, had three children: Agnes, Clara and William Henderson (W.H. or Bill). In 1936 he was appointed Rockdale Post Master by Franklin D. Roosevelt. His son, my grandfather, W.H. Cooke, joined the staff in 1930 had and became publisher by 1936. He and his wife, Grayce Mae Herndon Cooke had a son, my father.
John William “Bill” Cooke was born in 1935. He became publisher in 1981 after serving as news editor since 1959. He married my mother, Peggy Sue Adams Cooke, in 1957. They had four children: Kathy, me, Ken and Kevin.
My late sister, Kathy, and my brother Ken and his wife Christine, ran the paper in the early 2000s until they moved to Fredericksburg to publish the paper there.
Which brings us to me in 2021.
I look forward to bringing you the same award-winning journalism – and fun - as my predecessors. Wish me luck! All news tips and letters welcome.
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