Donald Cook

Don Cook was a good man, who lived a good and long life, a life so full of successes. He was a Marine and an entrepreneur, a good Christian man and community servant, a family man and friend to many. Above all, Don was a man who epitomized the American spirit, and achieved the American Dream, a dream we were so blessed to have shared.

Don’s story began on a warm summer day in 1920, as the crops began to sprout in the little town of Zeeland, Michigan. Those were times of great change in this country, as Americans began the Roaring 20s by battling a slumping economy, and made the difficult adjustment to the Prohibition era, which had become law of the land. Then, on June 17, 1920, a warm, sunny Thursday in Zeeland, Peter and Wilma Cook adjusted to another change — the birth of a son they named Donald Alwin.

Don was joined by his younger brother Warren in the family’s Zeeland home, where he was raised with a Christian faith and entrepreneurial spirit. He also grew into a hardworking, strapping young man, and was a star performer on the Zeeland High School basketball team, forming a lifelong love for the sport.

When the skies darkened with the clouds of World War II, Don jumped at the chance to do his part. He joined the Marines, and became part of the legendary “Carlson’s Raiders” unit, which some credit as the first Special Forces operation in the U.S. military and the first to see action overseas. He was wounded in the war and earned a Purple Heart.

In 1942, home on leave from the Marines, the handsome young soldier stopped by the local drugstore, Model Drug, which was a popular hangout for young people in those days. There Don spotted a beautiful young woman named Mary, who couldn’t help but notice Don, as well. They quickly began dating, and their love blossomed through letters sent back and forth while Don served his country.

When the war ended, Don returned to the Zeeland area, and their romance picked up where it left off. After five years of dating, in 1947 the happy couple eloped to South Bend, Indiana, beginning a long, wonderful marriage, a marriage full of love, faith, and most of all, family.

Don and Mary were blessed with five fantastic kids over the years; sons Steven and Brian, and daughters Joanne, Diane and Sheryl. The greatest days of Don’s life — in a lifetime so full of great days — were the birth days of each of his children. He was a very protective husband and father, who always put his family first. Don was always willing to help his children with any problems with his thoughtful advice, and always directed them in the Christian faith.

The family did so much together when the kids were young, and throughout their lives together. They enjoyed many family fishing trips up north every summer, or playing golf with Mary and the kids, and later grandkids. When his girls became very involved with horseback riding and show horses, Don and his family crisscrossed the country attending horse shows, winning numerous trophies in the process.

Don was an amazing provider for his family, a man whose work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit was unmatched. He was a gregarious, outgoing man, always on the go, always dreaming up a new business venture and working until it came to fruition. He was a motivated, self-made man, and after he left the Marines, he started his own used car business, operating out of his home in Zeeland.

He then opened three Army Wholesale Surplus stores in Zeeland, Muskegon and Flint, and supplied other such stores, too. Eventually, he started American Aerosol Company in Valparaiso, Indiana, later moving the facility to 16th Street in Holland. After selling that business to Red Knoll, Don started Wolverine Steel Company (Don was a diehard University of Michigan fan), where he bought steel from the mills to supply to manufacturers.

He didn’t stop there, of course. He also owned three gas stations in Zeeland and another in Holland, built a grocery store next to his gas station in Zeeland in a business venture with his father, which they later sold to Huizenga Grocery Store. He also went into the trucking business, developed three apartment complexes in Grand Rapids, Lansing and Indiana, and ran and refurbished three dormitories on the campus of Southern Illinois University, too. The dorms he and Mary ran became the most popular on campus, for their elaborate dinners — including lobster and prime rib!

For the past two decades, Don worked with his son Brian to develop five subdivisions in Laketown Township, building several homes alongside his son.

Don was perhaps best known for forming a legendary semi-pro basketball team in the area called “The Cook Oilers.” He was the team owner, coach, promoter and recruiter. Being blessed with a magnetic personality, Don brought talented players from all over the nation to play for the Oilers, some even future NBA players, and his team was incredible. They played before standing-room-only crowds at the Holland Civic Center, and went undefeated, beating the likes of the Harlem Globetrotters and Grand Rapids Sullivans. They traveled all over, from Terre Haute, Indiana to Chicago and beyond.

One of Don’s proudest moments was his induction into the Zeeland Hall of Fame on June 9, 2006, for his contribution to the sports scene in the area, when he was reunited with some of his former players and longtime friends.

Don was a man of many hobbies, of course, from U of M games to his many convertibles, but he loved his family and faith most of all. He was a devoted member of the Christ Memorial Church of Holland, and he loved spending time with his kids and 13 grandkids, who brought so much joy to his life. Don and Mary spent their winters in Florida, and loved visits from their kids and grandkids.

Sadly, Don passed away on a sunny Thursday, September 3, 2009, in Hospice House of Holland.

Don was a remarkable man, who lived a remarkable life, a life so full of successes. He was a brave Marine, a brilliant businessman, public servant and proud husband, father, grandfather and friend. Most of all, Don was a man who epitomized American values and lived the American Dream — a dream that lives on today in all who knew him. He will be so greatly missed.

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In 1979, Don was preceded in death by his son, Steven Don Cook, a Holland firefighter who died in the line of duty. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary; his children, Brian and Nancy Cook, Joni Cook, Diane and Tim Rhoda, Sheryl Cook-Weeks and Steven Weeks; his daughter-in-law, Tonya Cook Boersema; thirteen grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; his brother, Warren and wife Marilyn Cook; his sister-in-law, Nancy Klomparens; and nieces and nephew.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 9, 2009 in the Sanctuary of Christ Memorial Church, 595 Graafschap Road with Dr. Timothy Brown officiating. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday September 8, 2009 at the Mulder Chapel, Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes, 188 West 32nd Street. Burial will take place in Pilgrim Home Cemetery

Memorial Contributions may be given to the Parkinson’s Association of West Michigan, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, or the charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements by Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes, Inc., Mulder Chapel, www.lifestorynet.com