Donald J. Cook

Donald J. Cook passed away on February 14, 2012, in Des Moines, Iowa. A visitation for family and friends will be held at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, on Saturday, February 18 at 10:00 am, with a Celebration of Life to follow at 11:00 am.

Don was born January 13, 1937, to Donald and Christina Cook in Algona, Iowa. Don graduated from Algona High School, where he was a leader in many activities and sports. He then attended Drake University on a football scholarship where he was the starting left guard on offense and inside linebacker on defense throughout his collegiate career. He played on the 1958 Drake Sun Bowl team and was awarded the prestigious Double “D” Award in 1979.

After graduation from Drake, Don had a 43-year career in the insurance and investment business where he received many awards. He was a Chartered Life Underwriter and a Certified Financial Planner.

Don was very active in the community, serving as president of many organizations, including The Des Moines Golf and Country Club, Polk County Estate Planners, Des Moines Association of Life Underwriters, National Drake Athletic Letterman’s Club, Drake Quarterback-Tipoff Club and Des Moines Breakfast Club.

He was selected to lead two citizen committees for the City of West Des Moines. In 1980, he chaired the Citizens Task Force to review the city’s long-term comprehensive plan for development. Several years later, he served as Chairman of the Citizens Committee to review and recommend priorities for capital improvements to be considered by the City of West Des Moines. He also represented the citizens of West Des Moines on the Polk County Commonwealth Charter Commission on behalf of government reform in Polk County. Don was selected as the West Des Moines Citizen of the Year in 1994.

Don appreciated the outdoors and nature. Several years ago, he and his daughter, Erika, explored the Costa Rican jungles. He recently had the pleasure of tracking the wolves in Yellowstone National Park that his daughter, Carlye, had planned for him. He especially enjoyed trekking through the savannah, his favorite being in East Africa, where he and his wife’s travels began soon after they married.

During retirement, Don stayed active as a volunteer swimming coach during the summers in his hometown of Algona. He also spent many hours as a volunteer in the Drake Athletic Department.

Don’s most precious moments were with his family whom he loved very much. He is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Patricia Cook; daughters, Carlye Cook of Bozeman, Montana, and Erika Cook of West Des Moines, Iowa; his sisters Sandra (Tom) Kauffman of Troy, Missouri, and Charyl (Doug) Finders of Marshalltown, Iowa; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Christina Cook, and his brother, Terry Cook.

The family would like to thank Dr. Charles Caughlan and Dr. Matthew Hill at Iowa Health and all nurses who attended to Don.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Leukemia Society (8333 University Boulevard, Clive, Iowa 50325), the Des Moines Golf and Country Club Education Foundation (1600 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266) or the Drake University Athletic Department (2507 University Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50311).

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

Print