Gregg is survived by his wife, Melanie, and their daughter, Clara; his parents June and Horace Cooke of Abilene, Texas; his brother David Cooke of Boston, wife Michele and their sons James and Stephen; his brother Raymond “Rusty” Cooke of El Paso, wife Pattie and their son Bryan and his wife Jennifer; and their two daughters Caroline and Allison; and many other relatives and friends from across the country.
Gregg was born 6/14/55 in Abilene, Texas. He spent his childhood in Abilene, where he was an Eagle Scout, honored band member and yearbook photographer. He attended Baylor earning a BA in 1977. He earned a master of foreign affairs degree from the University of Virginia in 1979, and later received a law degree from Baylor in 1982. Early in his career, Gregg served on the executive of staff of Texas Governor Mark White sparking his lifetime engagement with politics both in Texas and nationwide.
Gregg began practicing corporate litigation at Geary, Stahl and Spencer in Dallas and became a partner. He held many professional positions including Chief of the Natural Resource Protection and Energy Division of the Office of the Texas Attorney General. While at the Office of the Texas Attorney General, he served as the state’s North America Free Trade Agreement Environmental Liaison and served as the interim General Counsel for the Border Environmental Corporation Commission in Juarez,
Mexico. Following his state service, Gregg practiced environmental law as a partner with Haynes & Boone in Austin.
Gregg served as Regional Administrator of EPA Region VI for over four years from 1998-2004. He was appointed to the post by President Clinton and retained by President George W. Bush.
Gregg was ‘Of Counsel’ with the Dallas environmental law firm of Guida, Slavich & Flores, P.C. and a consultant with the Washington, D.C.-based Global Environment and Technology Foundation.
He was a talented businessman, dedicated public servant and
entrepreneur. Gregg had numerous professional and community associations most notably as a member of the State Bar of Texas, Texas Lyceum Board of Directors, and Shakespeare Festival of Dallas. Gregg was appointed by the EPA Administrator to serve on EPA’s Clean Air Act Advisory Committee which was created to provide high-level policy advice and counsel to the EPA on clean air matters.
Gregg was a member at the First United Methodist Church of Dallas and served as a choir member. Gregg was enthusiastic, quick-witted and adventurous. He was quick to make new friends each day and to keep them for a lifetime. Gregg enjoyed numerous leisure activities including ‘Indian Princess’ camp-outs with Clara and traveling the world with his family. Gregg was well-traveled and well-read on a variety of topics including US/Mexico international relations.
Gregg was tirelessly dedicated to resolving environmental issues facing Texas and helped guide a bipartisan group of North Texas leaders in developing clean air plans for many of its major cities. His love of the environment was his passion. He was innovative and never shied in spearheading new ideas in improving it. Gregg had a natural talent in bringing together unlikely partners to solve problems.
Many people were touched by his generosity and caring. Gregg was a
loving family man and will be sorely missed. He was a faithful Christian and called home.
Memorial service will be Thursday afternoon at the First United
Methodist Church, 1928 Ross Ave., Dallas (214) 220-2727. A reception at the church will follow the service. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church and will benefit music programs, Baylor University or the conservation program at Caddo Lake. Friends of the Cooke family have established a college savings fund for Clara Cooke, Gregg’s 12 year old daughter. Contributions may be made
by a check payable to the American Funds, with a note "For Clara Cooke"
in the memo line; these can be mailed to: Nancy K. Phillips, CPA, 5910
N. Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75206 (phone 214.361.2444).
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