George L. Cook left this life early in the day on Thursday, July 31. He was 64 years old. His passing was sudden and unexpected. George spent roughly 40 years of his life working in various avenues of the performing arts. He was a long-standing member I.A.T.S.E. Local #205 in Austin, TX. He received his 30-year pin in 2011. He built scenery for stage productions at the University of Texas at Austin. He commissioned the brand new "state of the art" Performing Arts Center at the University of Texas, in 1981, was Scene Shop Supervisor there from 1981 to 1985. He was a stage hand for a multitude of Rock & Roll shows in Austin & Dallas, and he was on the original production staff for "Austin City Limits," the ground-breaking show for KLRU television. He spoke with pride to see that they were still using the stage that he built right up until the show moved to its new home.

George spoke often and fondly of the many celebrities, musicians and performers that he met. He built sets for movies shot in and around Austin. "Nadine" starring Jeff Bridges and Kim Baesinger, "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," "Silkwood," and others.

George loved Austin and everything about it. After visiting there when he was a child, he decided then that Austin was where he intended to live his life. After he met his wife, Deborah, in 1982, they moved to rural Denton County and lived the "ranch life" for 25 years, raising fine Bradford cattle, but his heart remained in Austin, and they visited every chance they got. They always watched University of Texas football, and proudly donned orange on Texas-OU weekend or whenever the "Horns" were on television.

George retired from the department of Dance & Theater Arts at UNT in Spring of 2010. He was Scene Shop Supervisor there for 10 years. He loved working with the students who were embarking on careers in the performing arts, and shared his many stories about rock & roll concerts, his work with celebrities and musicians, his portfolio of sets he had built, and his many carpentry skills. He was happiest when working under deadline, and most satisfied when the curtain went up on time.

George is survived by his wife of 31 years, Deborah (Hyman) Cook. No memorials are planned at this time, but George would have wished that donations be made to individuals favorite charities. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.