Mercer Cook, 88, was born May 31, 1930, in Washington, D.C.

He was a graduate of Dunbar High School, earned a bachelor’s degree from Amherst College, and received a J.D. from the University of Chicago. After college, he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and studied at the Sorbonne in Paris.

He was a member of the Illinois bar. Over the course of his public service career, he worked for the Cook County Legal Assistance Foundation, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, and the State's Attorney's Office, where he held the position of deputy state's attorney until his retirement in 1993. He was expert on city land acquisitions and a seasoned courtroom attorney.

He participated in the founding of the National Black Prosecutors Association in 1983 that is dedicated, through scholarship programs and public forums, to promoting the advancement of blacks as prosecutors for state and local governments.

He was an avid reader and golf enthusiast. His laugh, quick wit, and sense of humor could enliven any gathering.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Edwina Tomlin, and his brother, Jacques Cook. He has three accomplished children from his first marriage to Ann Dibble Jordan, Antoinette (Toni) Bush, Janice Rochon Roberts, and Mercer Jr; and seven grandchildren, Avery N. Cook Mercer R. Cook, Shelbie J. Cook, Dwight L. Bush Jr., Jacqueline D. Bush, Antoinette D. Roberts, and Richard T. Roberts.