Motorcycle Crash Claims Community Leader's Life

As one of 10 children, Alex Cooks Sr. grew up without a bicycle.

As the founder of Carrollwood’s Alex’s Bar-B-Q, 5362 W. Village Drive, he was driven to make sure Tampa Bay area children could experience the joys of riding on two wheels no matter their families’ financial situation. Through his Alex’s Xmas for Kids program, founded in 1999, Cooks and supporters gave out thousands of shiny new bicycles at Christmastime through the years.

Those touched by Cooks’ generosity and his locally famous southern-style barbecue are now mourning his loss. Cooks, 49, died following a crash on Fletcher Avenue Monday evening.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Cooks was riding a Suzuki motorcycle through the Winn-Dixie parking lot at 13508 N. Florida Ave. around 4:17 p.m. Cooks, the sheriff’s office said, was exiting the parking lot on the south side to access Fletcher Avenue.

Cooks, an email from the agency to media said, accelerated his bike, “but failed to yield to traffic already on Fletcher Avenue.”

Cooks struck a westbound Chevrolet Malibu driven by Daphne McElwreath, 68, on its passenger side.

Cooks was wearing a helmet, but deputies say he suffered life-threatening injuries. Cooks later succumbed to those injuries, the Facebook page for his namesake restaurant states.

“It is with great sorrow that Alex’s Southern Style BBQ announces the tragic loss of Alex Cooks Sr.,” a post about the man and his life reads.

As news about the death breaks, mourners are showing their support for Cooks’ family, leaving condolences outside the Carrollwood restaurant. They’re also posting on Alex’s Bar-B-Q’s Facebook page.

“So sorry to hear about Alex, may God bless you and your family, Alex,” wrote one woman.

“So sorry to hear of Alex’s passing,” wrote another. “Wonderful man … the community will miss him.”

Alex’s Xmas for Kids has given away more than 20,000 bicycles since Cooks founded it. The mission to give back began in 1999 when Cooks bought 10 children’s bicycles two weeks before Christmas. As news of his mission got out in the community, donations started pouring in and he was able to give away 182 bicycles that first year.

“I told them I was going to find 10 kids and donate the bikes,” explained Cooks in a 2011 Patch interview. “People started asking if they could help. I put a fishbowl on the counter and people started dropping money in. Every time I would get $40, I would go out a buy a bike. That’s how the foundation got started.”

That first-year effort sparked what would become a year-round journey to collect money for Christmas morning surprises for Bay area kids.

“Just knowing that there are kids waking up Christmas morning with nice new bicycles under the tree ... that’s the most gratifying part,” Cooks told Patch.

Funeral service details are not yet readily available.

Patch file photo