Don Cook

Donald Rae Cook of Pottsville passed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, July 24, 2022, at his home, as he was surrounded by his family. He had been battling metastatic renal cell cancer.

Don was born June 14, 1933, in Dallas. He graduat ed from high school, got married, joined the United States Army where he served as a drill sergeant, then remained in the reserves for another six years.

Meanwhile, he had two children and then went on to college. He later became a draftsman for Sinclair Oil and Gas, then sold insurance, then became a pig farmer but then finally found his passion as a Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie) breeder for 40-plus years on his farm in Pottsville with his precious wife, Angie, until he retired at the age of 87.

Don was a true soldier for the Lord as he taught Sunday School and led the young adult singles class at Calvary Baptist Church in Hamilton. He lived the lessons he taught with conviction and honor. He was a hardworking, proud, very strong-willed Christian man who lived his life to the fullest. He was a model husband to his devoted wife, Angie, a godly father with so much wisdom to his children as well as a loving grandfather and great-grandfather many times over. He later joined First Baptist Church in Hamilton.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth Calloway Cook and William Raymond Cook; his first wife, Shirley Ann Heaton Cook; his second wife, Angie Mary Graves Howell Cook; his grandchildren, Donelle Myka Cook, Tamara (Tammy) Lynette Reid and Terry Lynn (Bubba) Reid Jr.; and great-grandchildren, Evie Lynn Brielle Reid and Richard Lee Woolverton.

He is survived by his daughter, Donna Lynn Reid and husband Terry Lynn Reid Sr.; son Danny Rae Cook and wife Mary Elizabeth Cook; stepson Terry Luke Alton Howell and wife Tracy Annel Howell; grandchildren Shay LaPaulette Reid Foster, Elizabeth Hood and husband Chris, Joe Cook and wife Krystina, Peggy Reynolds and husband Michael, Shirley Woolverton and husband Bennie Williams, Terry Don Howell, Garrett Luke Howell, Sasha Sweatt and Bobby Reed; and many, many great-grandchildren.

Don donated his body to science research at the U.T. Southwestern Willed Body Program. This was his way of continuing to give to others out of love.

His memorial service will be at First Baptist Church in Hamilton on Sept. 10 at 11:30 a.m.