Joseph Griffin Cook

Joseph Griffin Cook, 85 of Knoxville, passed away on January 21, 2025. He was born on September 24, 1939, in Gulport, Mississippi, to Everett England Cook and Irene Griffin Cook. Joe Received his A.B. from the University of Alabama in 1961 with a major in philosophy and a record as an outstanding debater. He was selected for the two-person U.S. International Debate Team and toured the British Isles in 1961, debating at Oxford, Cambridge, and other universities. In 1964 he was awarded a J.D. from the law school at the University of Alabama. In June of that year he married Norma Lee Cox. They had met in 1960 through the Alabama Debate Team. In 1965 he received the LL.M. degree from Yale University. Joe Had planned to enter law practice, but an interview with the University of Tennessee Colloege of Law marked a change of direction. He was the youngest member of the Law Faculty when he accepted the position of Assistant Professor in 1965, and he would discover that he loved teaching and the academic world, on which he would enjoy for 51 years. In 1972 he was promoted to the rank of Professor of Law, and in 1979 he was named the Williford Gragg Distinguished Professor of Law which he held until his retirement in 2016 as Professor Emeritus. He was Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Law during 1991-92. He also was invited to teach at other universities. He was Visiting Professor at Southern Methodist University and twice at the University of Alabama. He especially enjoyed teaching in the Cambridge Summer Abroad Program in England in 2000 and 2001. Nothing was more important to Jos as a faculty member than teaching and his students. He taught many courses, including Constitutional Law, Contacts, Criminal Law, Criminal Process, and Jurisprudence. His teaching was recognized with awards from both University and College levels, including the UT Outstanding Teaching Award, the Harold Warner Outstanding Teaching Award, and the L.R. Hessler Award for Teaching and Service. He was a prolific scholar. He wrote a multi-volume treatise title Constitutional Rights of the Accused, was co-author of the multi-volume treatise Civil Rights Actions, and was co-author of numerous editions of two casebooks-Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure. His work was recognized with the Carden Scholarship Award and the Marilyn V. Yarbrough Faculty Award for Writing Excellence. Joe was dedicated to service to the Law School and the University. His Law School committee service, for example, was extensive as was his participation on University committees and councils. The service that he valued above all others, however, was his role as Faculty Advisor to the National Moot Court Team, a role which began in 1966, extended throughout his career, and which would be shared with a colleague. Not only was he successful in establishing the program but the participants also would become successful in competition and would win national championships. Appreciation of his service to students was reflected in the multiple times he received the Forrest W. Lacey Award. The highest honor that the University can give to a member of the faculty is University of Tennessee Macebearer, and Joe received this honor in 2004-2005. Joe Had a wide range of interests but none more ongoing than reading. He was a football fan an a loyal fan of his favorite professional baseball team. He enjoyed listening to jazz and attending concerts, going to plays and movies, touring museums, and traveling in the United States and abroad. He cared about many things. Among them we justice, meeting the needs of others, caring for our animals, and protecting wildlife and the planet. He was proceeded in death by his parents and his beloved bearded collie, Tess. He is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Norma Cox Cook. A memorial service will be announced at a later time. Donations in Joe’s memory may be made to the Joseph G. Cook National Moot Court Endowment Scholarship (give.tennessee.edu), Young-Williams Animal Center (young-williams.org), or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.rosefuneraltn.com.

Tributes

Joseph Griffin Cook

September 24, 1939 - January 21, 2025