Donald Dean Cook

Donald Dean Cook was born on February 13, 1932 to Francis Edgar Cook and Eva Myrtle Holley in Cortez, Montezuma, Colorado. At the age of 3 they came to Utah, and his sister Rosie was born there in Corrine, Utah. Later they traded in their wagon and horses for a 1928 Chrysler and pulled a trailer to move to Weaverville, California where his grandparents Francis Marion Cook and Alice Young Cook lived.

Donald was the first of his family to ever finish high school and he was very proud of that fact. He soon after joined the United States Navy and served for 4 years during the Korean War as a ship carpenter and repairman. Donald met and married Betty Ann Farnsworth on 5 June 1954; they had 4 children, Barbara Jean, Diane Vivian, Roy Patrick (deceased), and Joyce Ann Cook. His dad’s sister, Grace Scott was instrumental in his joining the church and they were later sealed in the Los Angeles Temple.

He worked for Hayden Andrews who was a contractor for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and together they were called on a building mission, building LDS chapels throughout Northern California and Nevada. While he was building the chapel in Gardnerville, Nevada in 1972 his son, Roy Patrick got very sick and passed away at the age of 13. By then he had decided to build a home there and go out on his own as a Handyman. He became an avid scout leader after Roy Patrick died and devoted his time and resources in many scouting activities and adventures. He was honored with several awards from the Boy Scouting program including the Silver Beaver Award. He has come and participated in all of his 6 grandsons Eagle Court of Honors. Don also invited and encouraged his children and grandchildren to work hard with him. They have many fond memories being with him and learning new skills whether it was on the roof, painting or carpentry work.

His grandchildren are (Barbara Fraser) Brandy (Stephan Rundell), and Natalie (Sean Barr), Richie, (Diane Brown) Jillian (Jay McGregor), Dean (Natalie), Lindsay (Jonathan Darling), Mindy (Zachery Newbold), Patrick (Whitney), and Steven (Ashley), and (Joyce Curtis) Jeffery (Jessica), James (Whitney), Johanna (Jeffery Ostler), Janae (Tim Johnson) and Jacob (Shenille). He is loved by his children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews alike. Don and Betty lived there until 1980 when they divorced.

He later married Evelyn Rossi and lived in Lake Tahoe for 26 years until her death 2004. He and Evelyn spent many good years together working in the Oakland and Reno Temples and researching family histories and participating in square dance clubs for which they won several awards. After Evelyn passed away he came to live with Chris and Joyce (Cook)Curtis and their family in West Valley City, Utah in 2005. He worked in the Jordan River Temple for 6 years and made lots of good friends square
dancing. He was always anxiously engaged in outside jobs or helping finish several projects on the house. He wouldn’t hesitate to get on the roof and shovel or repair what needed to be done. He often helped others in need and gave his time and talents generously.

Donald had problems with his kidneys all his life and was managing his care until he caught the flu and never quite recovered but died of Renal Failure. He had many care workers that participated in his care of which we are grateful. Thank you.

His children and grandchildren and great grandchildren have many fond memories playing Checkers, Ring on the string, Spoons, Aggravation, and other games as well as sledding, swimming, and hiking. He was a bit of a tease and kids flocked to him and he was a friend to all and will be greatly missed.

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