DOWNEY –Donald (Don) Cook, a Downey resident for more than 60 years, passed away peacefully at his home Feb. 3. Although in his 90th year, Cook had never really retired from his local printing business, Edon Printing.

At the time of his death, he was president of the Downey Exchange Club which he helped found 35 years ago. He also served on the board of directors of the Downey Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Center.

Cook also volunteered as an after-school program teacher’s aide in local elementary schools and at Rancho Los Amigos hospital.

He was born Sept. 28, 1924 in Franklin, Indiana. He was raised on his family’s farm until World War II.

As a farm family member he was exempt from the military draft, but Cook did not want to be the only man who didn’t serve, so he convinced his father to “release” him and enlisted in the U.S. Navy.

While in Navy basic training at Great Lakes Naval Base, Cook contracted rheumatic fever. The Navy transferred him to the Naval Hospital in Corona, Calif. for what was to be a long term convalescence. Cook often related a story of his Navy doctor telling him as a rheumatic fever survivor he couldn’t expect to live much beyond 40.

Stationed at Terminal Island, Long Beach, Cook assisted the base chaplain to publish his newsletter. This introduction to printing led to a life-time career.

Cook was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanne, and brother, Francis Cook. He’s survived by his sister, Jean Jewell, and six nieces and nephews.

Services at the Riverside National Cemetery are pending. Donations to the Downey Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Center in lieu of flowers is requested.

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Published: Feb. 12, 2015 - Volume 13 - Issue 44