2023S0112-1 02/10/23
By: Eckhardt S.R. No. 172
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of Kenneth Louis Koock, who died on
December 19, 2022, at the age of 86; and
WHEREAS, Born on May 5, 1936, Kenneth Louis Koock was
raised at Green Pastures, his family's historic homestead near
downtown Austin; there, Ken and his siblings experienced the joys
and hard work of growing up on a farm and learned the values of
acceptance, kindness, and compassion instilled in them by their
parents; and
WHEREAS, Ken graduated from Saint Edward's High School and
attended Georgetown University; he completed his studies at The
University of Texas at Austin, and he served as a Merchant Marine
and went on to serve with distinction in the United States Army;
and
WHEREAS, Ken took over the management of Green Pastures,
the family-run restaurant his parents had converted the farm and
homestead into in 1946; the restaurant had always operated under
the principle of welcoming people of all races and religions,
even during the segregation era, and Ken proudly carried on this
practice and philosophy in his business as well as throughout his
life; and
WHEREAS, Ken and his longtime business partner, Lee
Buslett, ran the restaurant with charm and attention to detail,
and their combined efforts and expertise in both business and the
culinary arts led Green Pastures to earn national acclaim; the
restaurant attracted many loyal regular customers as well as such
notable guests as presidents, royalty, celebrities, and heads of
state; Ken's success and enjoyment of the business inspired him
to open a number of other popular restaurants in later years; and
WHEREAS, Ken was active in his community and enjoyed a wide
variety of hobbies and activities; a skilled pie-maker, golfer,
and pilot, Ken served as president of the South Austin Rotary
Club and the Texas Aviation Association, and he successfully
advocated funding from the Federal Aviation Administration to
build small-plane hangars at Austin-Bergstrom International
Airport; and
WHEREAS, A devoted father to his daughters, Kathryn and
Molly, and a loving husband to his wife of 27 years, Carol Ann
Koock, Ken was also blessed with two stepsons, John and Chris,
and with eight grandchildren and a great-granddaughter, who were
a source of much pride and joy to him; Ken was a remarkable and
inspiring person whose generous spirit and positive outlook
defined his interactions with people from all walks of life; he
leaves behind memories that will long be cherished by his family
and friends and by the countless others who were privileged to
share in his life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Kenneth Louis Koock; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
memory of Kenneth L. Koock.