Adam Cook Was More Than The Brother Of An American Idol...

Monday, it was hard not to read a headline that said "David Cook's older brother" had died. This man had a name. It was Adam. Adam Cook. Adam was more than an American Idol's brother. He was an attorney, a husband to his wife Kendra and a father to two children. Adam was only 37. He fought brain cancer for over 10 years. Recently, it had spread to his spine. While I never tried a jury trial with Adam on the other side, on the occasions that I did oppose Adam in deposition or mediation, I always found him to be a strong but civil advocate for his client. A gentleman, an attorney and a man worthy of his own story instead of a mere footnote.

Adam was born in Kokomo, Indiana, June 5, 1971. He was admitted to the Indiana State bar in , 1997. Adam obtained a B.S. in History at Indiana State University in 1993. He graduated from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1997. Adam was a member of the Terre Haute Bar Association and the Indiana State Bar Association. While David Cook often mentioned his older brother while on "American Idol," Adam was well known in his own right as a young hard working attorney. He fought for his clients in the court room just as hard as he battled cancer outside the courthouse steps.

On Sunday morning, just a day after his 37 year old brother had died, David honored his brother again, serving as grand marshal at the 12th annual Race for Hope 5K run in Washington, D.C. David said, "I actually lost my brother yesterday to a brain tumor, and I couldn't imagine being anywhere else right now. " David Cook choked back tears as he discussed his brother in front of the crowd at the benefit for brain-cancer research. "I lost one today, but I gained 9,000, and I will be here every year that they will have me."

Adam was always celebrated his younger brother's success. Last year he was able to see his brother perform Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby" on "Idol" last season, after Terre Haute residents raised more than $45,000 to pay for Adam to travel on a private plane with a nurse to attend the show. Near the end, David Cook canceled a pair of concerts in March to go home and spend time with Adam. David has written a song, "A DailyAntheM," in honor of Adam which will be on his debut album.

If you would like to contribute to the Cook family in any amount, no matter how small, please go to http://www.paypal.com/, click the Send Money tab, and use the email address cookfamilyfund@gmail.com. This email address is linked to the Paypal account which was used to collect money for Adam to get to the finale, and all funds are transferred to Old National Bank, the Cook family's bank in Terre Haute, IN. Vickie Wallace, the bank officer, transfers all funds to the Cook family's bank account. You can email Vickie at vickie.wallace@oldnational.com or call 812-462-7413 for confirmation. You can also send checks or money orders. Please make them payable to "Adam N. Cook Fund". The address is:
Adam N. Cook Fund c/o Old National Bank701 Wabash Avenue Terre Haute, IN 47807Attn: Vickie Wallace