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Retiree Spotlight
Weldon Cook
Weldon Cook on drums.
After 32 years of service, Weldon Cook retired as Postmaster of Chula Vista, CA, in October 2005. Some of his most memorable details while serving as Postmaster include: Pacific Area and San Diego District Plan for Retail Operations Performance (PROP) coordinator, Pacific Area Mystery Shop coordinator, district sales manager, director, Marketing and Communications; and manager, Post Office Operations. Additionally, he was Supervisory Training Systems (STS) coordinator for 15 years and an Associate Supervisor Program (ASP) board member.
Cook earned an Associate of Arts degree in telecommunication and graduated from National University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
Cook and his wife, Vondell, have been married for 38 years. They are the proud parents of two adult children and six grandchildren, Erich Weldon (18), Morgan (16), Zahria (15), Weldon III (6), Wynton (5) and Alex III (3).
Weldon and Vondell Cook
Cook is the lead singer for the Absolute Truth Gospel Jazz Band (he also plays drums occasionally with this band) and is the drummer for the Brothers of Praise gospel group. Prior to retirement, Cook sang lead and background vocals for the Mandate Records recording group, Holy Essence. This group performed for many Postal Service year-end performance celebrations and employee multicultural fairs, Postmaster installations and first-day-of-issue events. Cook sang the “Black National Anthem” and national anthem for the Gold Coast Classic (HBC Football Classic) title sponsored by the San Diego District of the Postal Service.
Cook is a volunteer cameraman with the Production Arts Ministry at the 17,000 member Rock Church. He also is a member of the Red Cross Speakers Bureau, where he gives disaster preparedness talks to schools, churches and various organizations.
Active in his community, Cook worked as the volunteer coordinator for the 4th District City Council race in 2010. He also is very active in his church, fulfilling many roles through the years — trustee chairman, deacon, brotherhood member, choir member, drummer and founding member of New Life Baptist Church.
Staying in shape is important to Cook. He’s an avid golfer and occasional fisherman. He works out at a local gymnasium 3-4 days a week and recently lost 34 pounds.
Always looking for new challenges, in 2010 he opened N The Cut Barbershop with his son, Weldon Jr.
As you can see, he tries and succeeds at staying busy.