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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Donald Lee
Cook
Jul 2, 1924 — Jul 8, 2014
Obituary
Obituary: Donald Cook
Donald Lee Cook, aged 90, passed away on July 8, 2014, at Crocker's Country Living in Lesterville, MO, from complications of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).Donald was born July 2, 1924, in St. Louis, MO, the first of eight children of Annabelle and Oscar Cook, followed by Delmar, Elmer, Otto, Bob, Ray, John, and Shirley.
Donald graduated from Centerville High School, class of 1943. That September he joined the US Army and served with B Company, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division in the Philippines. During his military career, he received a Silver Star and three Purple Hearts. On May 18, 2014, he was awarded other medals earned during WWII: a Bronze Star, a fourth Purple Heart, and numerous citations.
After the war, Donald returned home and married Luellen Laramore on October 25, 1946. He received a Bachelor's in Education Degree from Missouri University. Donald taught school in Bunker, Redford, and Centerville. Donald retired from education in 1981, an elementary principal at Lesterville. Don and Luellen raised four children: Ronald, Virginia, Carmen, and LuAnn. He also co-owned and operated Black River Floats and Canoe Rental until 1988.
Donald was a member of the Tennessee Walking Horse Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Masonic Lodge, and Fellowship Baptist Church. An accomplished horseman, Don loved horseback riding and working a team. In his later years, he enjoyed gardening and spending time with family and friends.
Preceding Donald in death were his parents, Oscar and Annabelle Cook and brothers Ray, Elmer, Delmar, and John. Donald is survived by his son, Ronald (Judy), his daughters Virginia (Carl) Altrogge, Carmen (Larry) Morgan, LuAnn (Al) Fallahi. Also surviving are eight grandchildren: Ronnie Lee (Tonya) Cook, Jonathan (Christy) Cook, Paul (Heather) Walker, Victoria Farrar, Calli (Kyle) Thoma, Rachel Walker, and Jacob and Maleah Fallahi; and 13 great grandchildren: Jessica and Alex Farrar; Travis and Taylor Cook; Justice, Judd, and Jory Thoma; Declan, Lily Grace, Raleigh, and Rowan Walker; Kyla and Sydney Cook.
Memorials may be made to:
Gideons International
American Heart Association
Condolences may be expressed at McSpaddenfuneralhomes.com
Visitation: McSpadden Funeral Home, Lesterville, MO
Thursday, July 10, 2014, 4:00 – 8:00 pm
Funeral: McSpadden Funeral Home
Friday, July 11, 2014, 11:00 am
Minister: Reverend Derrick Meek
Interment: Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Pallbearers: Ronnie Lee Cook, Jonathan Cook, Paul Walker, Jacob Fallahi, Travis Cook, and Justice Thoma
Honorary Pallbearers: Victoria Farrar, Calli Thoma, Rachel Walker, Maleah Fallahi, Bill St. Clair, and Grady Gosnell
Donald Lee Cook, aged 90, passed away on July 8, 2014, at Crocker's Country Living in Lesterville, MO, from complications of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).Donald was born July 2, 1924, in St. Louis, MO, the first of eight children of Annabelle and Oscar Cook, followed by Delmar, Elmer, Otto, Bob, Ray, John, and Shirley.
Donald graduated from Centerville High School, class of 1943. That September he joined the US Army and served with B Company, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division in the Philippines. During his military career, he received a Silver Star and three Purple Hearts. On May 18, 2014, he was awarded other medals earned during WWII: a Bronze Star, a fourth Purple Heart, and numerous citations.
After the war, Donald returned home and married Luellen Laramore on October 25, 1946. He received a Bachelor's in Education Degree from Missouri University. Donald taught school in Bunker, Redford, and Centerville. Donald retired from education in 1981, an elementary principal at Lesterville. Don and Luellen raised four children: Ronald, Virginia, Carmen, and LuAnn. He also co-owned and operated Black River Floats and Canoe Rental until 1988.
Donald was a member of the Tennessee Walking Horse Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Masonic Lodge, and Fellowship Baptist Church. An accomplished horseman, Don loved horseback riding and working a team. In his later years, he enjoyed gardening and spending time with family and friends.
Preceding Donald in death were his parents, Oscar and Annabelle Cook and brothers Ray, Elmer, Delmar, and John. Donald is survived by his son, Ronald (Judy), his daughters Virginia (Carl) Altrogge, Carmen (Larry) Morgan, LuAnn (Al) Fallahi. Also surviving are eight grandchildren: Ronnie Lee (Tonya) Cook, Jonathan (Christy) Cook, Paul (Heather) Walker, Victoria Farrar, Calli (Kyle) Thoma, Rachel Walker, and Jacob and Maleah Fallahi; and 13 great grandchildren: Jessica and Alex Farrar; Travis and Taylor Cook; Justice, Judd, and Jory Thoma; Declan, Lily Grace, Raleigh, and Rowan Walker; Kyla and Sydney Cook.
Memorials may be made to:
Gideons International
American Heart Association
Condolences may be expressed at McSpaddenfuneralhomes.com
Visitation: McSpadden Funeral Home, Lesterville, MO
Thursday, July 10, 2014, 4:00 – 8:00 pm
Funeral: McSpadden Funeral Home
Friday, July 11, 2014, 11:00 am
Minister: Reverend Derrick Meek
Interment: Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Pallbearers: Ronnie Lee Cook, Jonathan Cook, Paul Walker, Jacob Fallahi, Travis Cook, and Justice Thoma
Honorary Pallbearers: Victoria Farrar, Calli Thoma, Rachel Walker, Maleah Fallahi, Bill St. Clair, and Grady Gosnell
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