Walter Duane "W.D." Rook's Obituary
Walter Duane “W.D.” Rook, age 91 passed away peacefully on April 26, 2009 in Dallas, TX. He was born in Ft. Worth, TX on November 22, 1917 to Jack Dorsey “J.D.” Rook and Susan Inez Riley, and he had one brother, Dorsey Clinton “Son” Rook. He graduated from Adamson High School in Oak Cliff in 1936. He followed his father and brother into the electrical trade and began work as an apprentice at his father’s company, Ace Electric. Later, becoming a Journeyman electrician he helped wire in many prominent Dallas area landmarks, such as the Magnolia Building, the Majestic Theater, Lone Star Gas Building and Union Station, as well as the Fair Park Esplanade. He enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1942 and was a Staff Sergeant in the Air Ferry Command delivering planes to overseas bases. Of the five-man crew he was the air-to-ground radio operator, and he flew over the “Hump” several times during WWII. Returning to Dallas after the war, he married Ruth Rush and they had two daughters. That same year, he opened his own electrical service company, Rook Electric Service, Inc., where he worked until he retired in 2002, at the age of 85. He became a widower in 1961 and was remarried later that year to Mary Lou McLeaird Moore and they had one daughter. He was preceded in death by Ruth Rush Rook, Clinton Rook, Susan Inez Griffith and J.D. Rook. Survivors include his loving wife of 47 years, Mary Lou Rook and children, Linder O’Rourke, Catherine Ann Lugo and husband Bruce, step-daughter, Donna Elizabeth Sheikh-Houssein, Patricia Susan Rook-Hulen and husband, Mitch; three grandchildren, Matthew Walter Smith, Arnena Sheikh-Houssein and Justin Riley Hulen; two great grandchildren, Evan Walter Smith and Ann Marie Smith; nephews Jeffrey Clinton Rook and Dennis Dorsey Rook. A memorial service will be held at 12:30PM, Thursday, April 30, 2009 at Restland Wildwood Chapel with interment immediately following at Restland Memorial Park. Family will receive visitors on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 beginning at 6:00PM at Restland Funeral Home. Pallbearers include, Matthew Smith, Justin Hulen, Mitch Hulen, Bruce Lugo, Jeff Rook, Dennis Rook and Les Rhodes.
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