Leon Wynn Cook, Jr

Leon Wynn Cook, Jr. passed away at home, surrounded by family, on April 11, 2026, and is now running the streets of gold. Born in Miami, Florida, he was the son of the late Leon Wynn Cook, Sr. and Florry Josephine (Wilkes) Cook. As the child of an Air Force family, Leon spent part of his youth living in England and Japan before the family settled in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, where he graduated from Berkeley High School in 1969.

Leon served in the United States Air Force from 1970–1974 as a Communications Center Specialist, stationed in Korea, and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. He later attended the University of South Carolina, where he ran Track & Field and set school records in the 10,000meter run in 1976 and 3,000meter steeplechase in 1977, a record he held for 18 years.

He spent 20 years in banking before opening Personal Best Sports in Lexington, where he ensured any child in need left his store with running shoes, regardless of their ability to pay. He also loved coaching the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training. He later worked at The State newspaper and in security before joyfully becoming a fulltime “BubBub” to his grandchildren.

Leon met his beloved wife, Vicky, in 1982, and they were married on March 23, 1985. They made their home in Lexington, SC, where they raised their two children, Marie and Joseph. In 2015, Leon proudly became “BubBub” to the first of three grandchildren, a role that brought him tremendous joy. He was known for his kind spirit and quiet faith, and his deep love of family, Gamecock Athletics, 1970s music, and running—having completed more than 30 marathons and countless shorter road races. Vicky devotedly cared for Leon during the final four years of his life.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents; his niece, Kelly Dulin; and his parentsinlaw, Ricky and Anna LaRosa. He is survived by his wife, Vicky; daughter, Marie (Phillip) Dieckmann; son, Joseph (Jordan) Cook; grandchildren Castle, Anna Wilkes, and Fulton Dieckmann; sister, Martha Pierce; along with his brother- and sisterinlaw and their families.

A memorial service will be held at St. Andrews Baptist Church on May 29 at 2:30 p.m., with the family welcoming friends beginning at 2:00 p.m. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”    — 2 Timothy 4:7