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Lewis Edward Cook III

Lewis Edward Cook III died tragically after being struck by a drunk driver as he walked to his hotel Sunday, March 6, 2011, in Vail, Colo. He was 32 years old.

Lewis was born Jan. 4, 1979, in San Francisco, where he attended University High School. Lewis was a fourth-generation Californian. During high school, Lewis distinguished himself as a four-time All-American swimmer.

Lewis graduated from Princeton University with honors in economics in 2001. He played on the Princeton varsity water polo team during his time there. Upon graduation from Princeton, Lewis worked for the John Lewis Company in Austin, Texas, for three years, establishing himself in the Austin real estate community. Thereafter, he continued his academic pursuits at Duke University Business School, where he earned his MBA and was recognized as a Duke Scholar in 2007. Lewis then returned to Texas, and the Austin community he had come to love. He worked at Simmons Vedder in acquisitions before starting his own real estate investment company last year. He was presently directing a project in his family oil and gas interests. Lewis was active in the Real Estate Council of Austin, Urban Land Institute, and Young Men's Business League.

Lewis traveled the world extensively with his classmates and his family. His innate curiosity and quest to always know, allowed him to make new friends through his genuine interest in knowing their story. He treated everybody the same ... with genuine interest, respect and compassion. He rarely met a stranger. He recently returned from a mountainous trek through Australia with his uncle, Steve, with whom he shared numerous adventures. In his spare time, he tutored socially disadvantaged youth. He had a big heart and was generous with his time, valued his friends, loved his family. He was a rock for all of them. He was a swimmer and avid skier, who had a love for the outdoors. Lewis enjoyed his all too brief life to the fullest, and stepped into leadership responsibilities quickly. When his father developed cancer last year, he commuted between Austin and San Francisco every month to assist his father in the family business. In short, Lewis was the type of person that we all aspire to be.

Lewis is survived by his parents, Lewis and Susan Cook, of Glen Ellen; and his sister, Alison Cook, of Sebastopol; his uncles, Steve Yoss, of Davis, Jim and Jayne Yoss, of Fairfax; and Ron Honda, of Honolulu, Hawaii; and his cousins Tami Choi, Yoshi Honda, Ann and Caroline Yoss. He is also survived by his grandmother, Kathe Yoss, of Rochester, Minn. Lewis will be missed by his girlfriend, Amanda Osterhout of Houston, Texas.

There will be a celebration of his life in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, March 12, 2011, at 1 p.m. at The Church of the Good Shepherd. There will also be one Saturday, March 19, at 1 p.m. at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 16290 Arnold Drive, Sonoma.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to: Sonoma Plein Air, 19201 Sonoma Highway, number 321, Sonoma, Ca 94376 or a charity of your choice.