Boy Scout Honors Late Mayor with New Bench in Lake Lure

Bench for Former Mayor Kevin Cooley

by Gracie Palmer, WLOS

Fri, November 14, 2025

LAKE LURE, NC (WLOS) — A local Boy Scout has rebuilt a bench to honor the late mayor of Lake Lure, Kevin Cooley.

The original bench in Morse Park, dedicated to Cooley, floated away in Helene’s floodwaters.

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Current Mayor Carol Pritchett’s grandson, Cole Pritchett, has taken it upon himself to install a new bench as part of his Boy Scout project.

“I think it’s important because you know he was a really great man and he tragically passed away and it really means a lot for the town of Lake Lure,” Cole Pritchett said.

Mayor Pritchett said she hopes this new bench will remind people of what the town has overcome. The bench will be presented to Cooley’s widow on Saturday, Nov. 15th.

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