Martin I. "Marty" Cook, III

Martin I. Cook, III (Marty) died peacefully at home after a lengthy battle with Esophageal Cancer on Saturday, February 13. Marty leaves behind his son James Cook, daughter-in-law Jordan and 4 grandchildren – Ellie, Mickey, Nolan and Walker; as well as his wife, Brenda Dunlap. Marty was pre-deceased by his parents Martin I., Jr. and Nancy and two siblings Cathy (Smith) and Jimmy. Also surviving Marty are his seven siblings Denise (Dick), Ann Marie, Terry (Cathy), Kevin (Kathy), Nancy (Steve), Brian (Stephanie), and Gary (Jennifer), Brother-in-Law Danny Smith, adopted sister Kathy Schoellig; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, in-laws and cousins. Marty grew up in Falls Church and attended St. James Catholic School and Bishop Dennis J. O’Connell High School. Following graduation from high school in 1968 Marty entered the Navy and was stationed at the Little Creek Amphibious Naval Base in Virginia Beach, VA on the U.S.S. Desoto County LST 1171 with several deployments including to the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas. After serving 4 years in the Navy, Marty returned to Northern Virginia to follow in his father’s footsteps in the service station business. Marty purchased and managed Shirley Duke Exxon in Alexandria in 1974. Twenty years later, in 1994, Marty and his brother Terry purchased Dulles Exxon in Chantilly, expanding “Cook’s Car Care” in 2012 with a second Exxon in Middleburg, which Marty managed until the time of his death.

Marty was a lifelong devoted sports fan with a great love for the Washington Redskins and the Baltimore Orioles before the Washington Nationals came to town. He enjoyed and would often recall fond memories of attending Redskins games with his father while growing up and then had his own season tickets for many years. For the past several years he was a devoted fan of the Washington Nationals enjoying attending games with his son, daughter-in-law and even his grandchildren. Marty also enjoyed golf – being a frequent golfer with his father and their buddies in his younger years, and later in life he enjoyed just watching golf tournaments on TV.

Marty’s love for his family was extraordinary. He married his wife Brenda in 2015, and while this may have been short-lived, they provided each other an inspirational and comforting love and companionship for the last 10+ years of his life. The loss of his brother Jimmy in 1986, and Cathy – his lifelong friend, savior and conscience in business and life – in 2002, were very difficult losses. But perhaps most difficult was losing his most likely best friend and companion – his father Mickey in 2016. Being the oldest child of 10, Marty shared a special bond with both his parents but it was his father that he walked closely through life with in business and personal experiences – each inspiring the other to be better people. Additionally, He enjoyed close relationships with all of his siblings and their spouses and their children and grandchildren. It was Marty’s gentle spirit, quiet and even temperament, and his sense of humor that made all of them seek to spend time with him.

Marty experienced his greatest joy from his son Jamie and later his daughter-in-law Jordan and his four grandchildren – Ellie, Mickey, Nolan and Walker. Marty devoted himself to his son growing up, giving him life lessons along the way that would inspire him to be a good, gentle and loving man, husband, father and friend. Jamie’s generosity and compassion today are evidence of the lessons and guidance he received from his dad. Marty shared a special bond with his daughter-in-law Jordan whom Jamie married in 2013. This joy and pride in his son’s little family swelled enormously with the births of his four grandchildren. He received great pleasure from watching them develop and grow, play and fight and just be happy children. His love for and from these 6 people – Jamie, Jordan, Ellie, Mickey (MIC IV), Nolan and Walker, knew no bounds.

Finally, Marty’s faith inspired and sustained him throughout his life. It was embodied through his gentle demeanor, his kindness towards all that he met, his non-judgmental way, his slowness to anger, and his love, generosity and compassion for family, friends and complete strangers. Throughout his life he was a member/attendee of St. James (Falls Church VA), St. Andrews (Clifton VA) and St. Timothy’s (Chantilly VA) . We should all be so blessed to even attempt to show the faith, kindness, empathy, understanding and love that Marty showed to all – benefiting all he came in contact with directly or indirectly – even to the end.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Marty will be held Saturday, February 20 at 2:00 at St. James Catholic Church in Falls Church, VA. Per Marty’s request donations can be made to “Marty’s Give to Life Fundraiser” to benefit St. Jude Children Research Hospital.