Donald Edgar Cookman was born on February 19, 1929, in Anacortes, Washington, to John and Florence. He was the second of three children. Don’s first language was American Sign Language, as both parents were hearing impaired.
His father died in a drowning accident when Don was six years old, and he spent the remaining years of his childhood with his Grandmother Hollenbeck, and later his paternal Aunt Irene and her husband, Peter Burton.
At 18, he joined the Merchant Marines. Upon his return, he followed in his grandfather’s footsteps working as a logger in the Anacortes area.
In 1951 he was drafted into the United States Army to serve in the Korean Conflict. Before leaving, he married his first wife, Melita Roskoph in Eureka, California. He worked for the next several years tending trees running a tree service, as a logger, and for the U.S. Forest Service as a firefighter.
He and his family lived in Panama for a year where he logged among the Choco Indians with his good friend and partner, Hank Lambert. When he was forced to abandon that endeavor due to illness, he and his family relocated to Rosebud, Montana, where he lived until the final year of his life.
In Montana, he worked as a heavy equipment operator, plumber, logger, and maintenance man. Don was also known for his tiki carving, love of animals, ready willingness to care for the sick, and his optimism and friendliness.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; his aunt and uncle; his brothers, Clifford and Thomas; his sons Donald Jr. and Kenneth; his wife Margaret; his partner, Norma Nelson; and numerous friends and relatives.
He is survived by the current family patriarch, son Thomas (Lavonne) Cookman; daughter LaNell (Russell) Johnson; son Robert Nichols; daughter Mary (Paul) Kunst; son John (Kasey) Cookman; son Jefferson (Samantha) Cookman; and son James (Sarah) Cookman, and many grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.
The family wishes to express their profound gratitude to the nursing staff at the V.A. Community Living Center in Miles City, where he spent his final days; and to the doctors and nurses of Billings Clinic and Holy Rosary infusion centers who cared for him in his final year.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 am
Monday October 21, 2019
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 am
Monday October 21, 2019
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Share
Diana Robinette says
I have so many memories with Don, great neighbor, elk hunting, picking a Turkey just some of them, rest in peace dear friend now you are with Margie, sending my prayers and condolences to the Cookman family.
Diane Welbes says
So sorry for your loss- You all will be in my thoughts & prayers.
Sharon Wetsch says
Rip Don.. you led an amazing life and raised a great family. Thought and prayers for all of his family💕
Olivia Cookman says
Don was a great grandfather and always had a great story to share. His memory and adventures will be passed down through the generations to come.
SallyAnn Jones says
RIP Uncle Don😢, thank you for all the memories, love and laughs. You truly made my childhood a large part of my favorite memories. Until we meet again. 💞
Thoughts and prayers to the rest of the family🙏❤🙏
Genny Cook says
Praying for all of you. I am so sorry for your loss.
Walt Lloyd says
I have a lot of thoughts and happy memories of Don. I am sorry to hear he has passed . My condolences to his . family.
He certainly did live an interesting life. Rest In Peace old friend.
John Hegel says
Sorry to hear this Mary. You”re in our thoughts and prayers.
Loren Kent says
Truly going to miss you buddy. You and your family have been the most pleasant and welcoming people that I’ve ever met in Montana. Your brother Cliff and you were an inspiration and a hoard of knowledge. My admiration and knowledge that I obtained from you and Cliff is immeasurable… It was a pleasure to be your friend.
God bless
Connie Brown says
Mary and family, and the rest of Don’s family,
Sorry to hear of your families loss, may God give you peace. Hold tight to the memories!
Debra Wilhelm Nesbitt says
Many thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Don is now in the the Loving Arms of our Lord , Peace Be wth you all, Debra Wilhelm Nesbitt
Andrew Schulenberg says
Mary and Family: Charlys and I wish you peace in your loss of Don. May He Rest in Peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with you 🙏
Dennis Davies says
Don was my very best friend for 37 years, half of my life. The experiences we shared together during those years would encompass many lifetimes. There will never be another DON COOKMAN, a man full of compassion for others, a man who gave his all for anyone lucky enough to know him and call him friend, or in our case “brother”. I am so fortunate to have been able to spend two nights with Don last month, reliving many of our experiences together. I am going to miss you my “Brother”. May your new journey bring you peace and comfort.
My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone of Don’s family.
Kay Crosby Dooley says
So sorry to hear this, Rest In Peace Don, you never failed to put a smile on my face.
K
Catherine Byron says
Dear Mary and All of Don’s Family –
Many years ago Don was my guardian angel. It all happened on a beautiful spring afternoon in mid-May in the ’80s. Clara Pierson had loaned me some family photos to copy for a research project and that afternoon I drove to their home near Rosebud to return them. On the way back to Forsyth on the old highway, the pickup in front of me crossed the center line, hit the ditch and rolled. The stiff breeze/wind rocked the vehicle as it lay on its side hung up on the bank side of the borrow pit. The back window was shattered and I could see the driver’s head resting on the jagged glass bleeding. KIKC was belting out some country classic oldies. With shaking knees and pounding heart, I stopped, but was afraid to get close to the vehicle the way it was swaying. The driver did not respond to my calls. Then Don arrived on the scene coming up out of Wild Cat Coulee. He bailed out of his vehicle and rushed over to the situation and said the most wonderful words: “I’ll take over here. You go get help.” I ran to the Schwarzkoph place to call for help. Words cannot describe the relief Don Cookman brought to my life that day. Truly – an angel of mercy who showed up at just the right time.
My heart and prayers are with all of you. No matter how prepared we think we are, the final goodbye is tough.
Carol Gamble says
Mary and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Jean Jones says
I’m so sorry to hear of his passing. No matter what he was going through he was always a bright spot in our day. Our prayers are with all of you.
Jean Jones
Billings Clinic Registration
Christy Suits Hoffmann says
So very sorry to hear of your loss. Don was a rare soul, and will be greatly missed. My prayers are with all of you. God bless.
Harriet Jansen says
Mary and all of Don’s family. Sorry to your loss. Don was one of the first to arrive when Bob Sleaford passed away. He always had a wonderful smile. Remember all of the good times.Sending prayers. Harriet & Veryl Jansen
Martha Allison says
Thoughts and prayers for your family
Susie Sanders says
Dear Uncle Don: you made my childhood so much fun. Taking me fishing and camping at Lake Greenough, teaching me how to drive, laughing and singing to the radio as we drove down the highway. I remember the dogs and cats that were such a huge part of your life. Harvey, Bebe, Annie, Frankie and Billy. You instilled a love of animals in me. You took care of me like I was your own. Spent so many weekends in Rosebud with Jim, Jeff, and Aunt Margie. Thank you for all the memories and life lessons. I wish my boys could have known you better. Until we meet again.
Kirkaldie’s says
🥀 Mary & Family,
our love & Prayers are with you .
Tom & Barbie & Family