Thomas "Tommy" Cooke

Thomas Lloyd Cooke passed away on June 19, 2011, after a lengthy battle with ALS. He was born on August 14, 1925, in San Diego to Tom and Fern Cooke and spent nearly his entire life here. During WWII, Tom served in the US Army Air Corps, returning to San Diego at the end of the war. Shortly thereafter he met and later married La Donna Alexander with whom he spent the next 62 years in a wonderful marriage. Tom and La Donna raised four children in their Lakeside home. They owned and operated the Friendly Food Market where they were well known throughout the East County. Tom was an accomplished pilot and lover of aviation serving 20 years as a docent at the Air and Space Museum. He was very active in his church, especially in the performing arts. Tom wrote, directed, produced and acted in numerous musical productions most notably Norman Rockwell’s America, in which he played the title character. Tom passed away on Father’s Day after spending a wonderful day with his entire family. He is survived by his loving wife La Donna, brother Vernon Bridgman, sister Peggy Boss, daughter Deborah Steingraber (Scott), sons Jim (Joyce), Don and Greg (Kathy) Cooke, 6 grandchildren, Brett (Tanya) Handley, Vicki (Rich) Brooke, Stacy (Dylan) Ciota, Becky (Brandon) Sabala, Amanda and Christine Afentakis; 5 great grandchildren, Alyssa, Devin, Gwendylan, Thomas and Logan with one more on the way, a large extended family and many, many friends. A celebration of his amazing life will be held on Wednesday, June 29, 2011, at 10:00 A.M. at the Gateway Church in El Cajon. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Paralyzed Veterans of America.