Compiled by Forrest Preece
Frank Cooksey, the mayor of Austin from 1985 to 1988, died on Dec. 15, 2025, at the age of 92, of complications from a fall. He began his political career at the University of Texas, where he was student body president. While at UT, he met his wife, Lynn, who survives him. They were married for 67 years. Cooksey worked as an attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Attorney's Office, in the Texas Attorney General's Office under John Hill, and in private practice. He was an environmental advocate, known for his progressive stance during his term as mayor.
I asked a few Austinites to pass along their memories of him.
“Former Mayor Frank Cooksey contributed a lifetime of advocacy to the Austin environment and social justice causes for our great City. Frank and his lovely wife, Lynn Cooksey, embraced and supported our Austin history, and he was honored to serve on the Austin History Center Association's Advisory Council, comprised of former Mayors. They both respected and fought to save Barton Springs, often swimming there in the early morning, even in the dead of winter.”
--Charles Peveto, President, Austin History Center Association
“Frank Cooksey was a dedicated, enthusiastic, and proud public servant. He was a great person who spent his entire career fighting for the rights of others and for the conservation of our environment. He embodied what it meant to live a life of integrity and never wavered from his belief in doing the right thing. I met Frank back in the early 1980s, when I worked directly in his campaign for mayor. He was a friend and taught me a lot. He made a real difference in Austin and had a profound impact on the lives of Austinites. On behalf of Austin and myself, I thank Frank for all he did for Austin.”
--Hon. Kirk Watson, Mayor of Austin. When Kirk was in his mid-twenties, he was Frank Cooksey’s campaign treasurer.
Speaking of Frank Cooksey’s achievements: “A far-reaching achievement between 1985 and 1988 was a comprehensive protective approach (ordinance) to all the individual watersheds in greater Austin. From 1977 to 1986, previous councils had protected watersheds on an individual basis.”
--Hon. Lee Cooke, former Mayor of Austin
“From his service as UT student government president to Austin Mayor through his active retirement, Frank remained a force for social justice and environmental protection.”
--Hon. Lloyd Doggett, US Congressman
“On a personal note, Frank Cooksey was the first person that I interviewed when I produced Common Ground: The Battle for Barton Springs in the early 90s. I remember that in spite of my inexperience, he took what I was doing very seriously, inviting me into his home to interview him. While the interview itself is an example of how not to compose and light a documentary interview, beginner’s mistakes aesthetically, it was a key component of the documentary itself. Over the years, I came to know Frank and his wife Lynn, and enjoyed their company whenever we had an opportunity to interact.
“As I am scrolling through the archival footage of important meetings related to Barton Springs and Barton Creek while working on Foreverland, I am struck by his consistent presence at key community events related to Barton Springs and Barton Creek. I can see by the reaction of the audience at Council meetings how much people respected him and saw him as a champion for the community, and likewise for the councilmembers. His testimony often brought the audience in the chambers to their feet, with loud applause, hoots, and hollers.
“As a lifelong Barton Springs swimmer, he understood the spiritual meaning of the Springs and as a lawyer, he brought his expertise to bear in trying to advocate for its protection. He is an example to me of a life well lived in service to the community and humankind.”
--Karen Kocher, media producer
