When we think of Lee Cookson, who died on Dec. 31, (click here for his obituary) the first story that comes to mind is pretty funny and can never be repeated – ever.

MORE ON THE PHOTO: Taken at one of the early Bluffton car shows Lee Cookson stands behind this classic Kaiser Darrin (1954 model?). Lee's dad, Richard cleans the windshield as Lloyd Hardwick stands in front of the car. Photo complliments of Dennis Morrison.)

This story comes from circa 1964, we think.

During high school, Lee worked at his dad’s Marathon station. It was located in what is today the A to Z building on Main and Elm. This made him the absolute last guy in the world to regularly pump gas for customers - unless his brother, Ken, has this honor.

Anyway, across the street, on the corner of the town hall, was one of Bluffton’s four telephone booths.

Lee happened to know the phone number of the booth. No one ever - to our knowledge - could figure out how he learned this amazing fact.

So, whenever one of his classmates walked by the booth, Lee quickly dialed booth’s number. Walking by, the shocked teenager might answer the phone. Who wouldn’t?

On the other end of the phone came a voice (Lee’s) asking for the person who answered the phone.

This was a pretty strange experience – imagine if it happened to you. It was also very entertaining. We witnessed Charles Baker answer the phone on a hot summer day. When Lee asked if he could speak to Charles, well, we guess you had to be there to really appreciate it.

Here are some more details about Lee, provided to the Icon from his family:

He met his wife, Elise (Sommer), at summer camp in high school when they shared an ice cream sandwich at the snack shop. They were eventually married for 47 years.

Lee had a love of history and enjoyed reading the works of Walter Isaacson and David McCullough.

He found his life’s work outdoors when he began working in the lawn and landscape industry. He spent his career as a business owner, consultant, and specialist in the care of lawns, trees and shrubs.

And he doted on his yard, often bringing pictures of plants to show off. His son, Brian, claims to have to mow the lawn up to three times a week while growing up.

Lee had an incredibly sharp wit and was always quick with a joke.

He believed in complaining about NFL referees. He loved Smokey Robinson and The Temptations and jazz. He believed in talking to inanimate objects, especially if they weren’t cooperating - so his family told us.

Lee was meticulous in everything he cared about, including vehicles, plants and especially his family. He would always be there, even if it meant driving for hours if one of his children, or grandchildren, needed him.

He loved sitting with his grandchildren in the back of the car and doing the Woody Woodpecker.

All this from the president of the BHS class of 1965.