Laurie Perry Cookingham

Laurie Perry Cookingham, more commonly known as L.P. Cookingham or L. Perry Cookingham, (October 6, 1896 – July 22, 1992) was a noted public administrator in the United States having served as city manager of Kansas City, Missouri for 19 years. He also served as city manager of Clawson, Michigan, Plymouth, Michigan, Saginaw, Michigan and Fort Worth, Texas.

Early life Laurie Perry Cookingham was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 6, 1896, to Emma Emilia (née Gordonier) and Joseph Fitch Cookingham. His father was a bridge superintendent for a railroad. At the age of eight, Cookingham and his family moved to Danville, Illinois. He graduated from Danville High School in 1917. He worked for a railroad in Danville after graduating high school. In 1918, during World War I, he joined the U.S. Army and served in the Signal Corps until 1919. He served in this post from January 6, 1936 until May 14, 1940.

Legacy In 1951, Cookingham was the first person given the LaGuardia Memorial Award .