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Waverly Cole (left) and his partner of five decades John Cook, are honored on stage at last weekend’s Servicemembers Legal Defense Network national dinner. (Photo courtesy of SLDN)
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HOME > NEWS > LOCAL
By: CHRIS JOHNSON COMMENTS
 
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are only seen today.”
Having “never flaunted” their sexual orientation, the two claim never to have faced discrimination.
(Top) A recent photo of trong>John Cook (left) and trong>Waverly Cole with their dog, April; at left, a photo of trong>Waverly Cole that John Cook has carried in his wallet for 50 years. At right, a photo of trong>Cook around the time the two met. (Photos courtesy of Cole and Cook) |
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“We don’t go around telling people we’re gay because straight people don’t go around telling us they’re straight,” Cook says. “We have conducted ourselves as gentlemen and have gotten great respect from everybody.”
Cole says the relationship lasted so long because the two have similar values and a comparable appreciation for good books, the arts and interesting people.
Cook remembers their first eight years together as their most enjoyable.
“You would not believe the happiness,” he says. “If we traveled and had to tell each other goodbye at the airport, we cried all the way home [and] we called each other the minute we got to wherever we were.”
Cook says he and Cole “still have that lovely, warm relationship.”
“It’s not as intense as when you’re young, you just sort of settle down and know everything is fine.”
Cole says the happy moments continue in their relationship.
“Our fondness grows and that doesn’t diminish with the longevity of our relationship — it just gets more interesting and more delightful to be with each other each day,” Cole says.
The toughest times were dealing with the deaths of family members.
“To bury your mothers is sad, to bury your fathers — to bury nieces and nephews who have died or friends that have died,” Cook says. “That’s always the saddest part — to give up people you love.”
The two didn’t discuss their relationship with their parents.
Despite the sad moments that accompany any life, Cook calls their relationship a “happy, successful and very enjoyable” life together.
“We have traveled the world, we have made money, we have a host of friends throughout the world and we continue to have a very wonderf
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