Donald M. Cook

Donald, or Don, was born on February 22nd, 1938 to William Cook and Sadie Simmons in Moorefield, West Virginia. He was the youngest of twelve children.

Don retired as a Master Chief Machinery Technician in the United States Coast Guard, after a military career that lasted over 20 years. His second career, as a contractor for the United States Navy, included providing waterway security post 9/11 and participating in the Alaskan Vadez Exxon oil spill clean-up. Throughout his career, he has visited most continents and seen many exciting locations including Greece, Turkey, Mauritius, England, and Antarctica.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Bertha Mae Cook and his grandson, Austin Michael Cook. He is survived by his four children, Elizabeth Lynn Hill, Sidney Leon Cook and his wife, Mindy, Pamela Kim Cook, Mitsy Lee Pobiak and her husband, Lawrence, his seven grandchildren, Angel, Nicholas, Michelle, Brittney, Nick, Zachary, and Lindsay, who affectionately call him Papaw, as well as eight great-grandchildren.

Don was courageous, resilient, kind, altruistic, and, most of all, endearing. If you asked his children and grandchildren how they would describe their Papaw, the first word that comes to mind is “selfless.” He will be remembered as a man who enjoyed spending time with family, taking long trips in his RV, and helping anyone in need.

Out of all his many accomplishments, being a father and Papaw was his most cherished.

A visitation will be held on Friday, May 21, 2021 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at Parklawn Wood Funeral Home Chapel with a Celebration of Life to begin at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Hampton Memorial Gardens.