Longtime Alamosa resident Douglas Earl Cook, 93, died November 18, 2012 at his home in Alamosa.
If you don’t learn from the past, you’re doomed to repeat it. Or does it go: “If you learn from the past, you will begin to know what mighty people you came from”? Fortune and fame were not things of high importance to him. He will be remembered for the kind of life he lived, his humor and love for his family and friends, his contributions to the many congregations he was associated with through the building projects he volunteered in, and the assistance he gave to those he came into contact with who needed a helping hand. Douglas Earl Cook will be fondly, lovingly remembered by many, not just his family members. Even when there wasn’t any abundance, he willingly shared what he had with others.
Doug was born September 28, 1919, in Britton, South Dakota, the son of Frank and Kathryn (Niessen) Cook, the fifth of six children. He went to school in Anaheim where he met and later married Agnes Allan on April 11, 1941. Doug served in the Army Engineer Corps from 1941-1946. Doug was a volunteer for the search and rescue in California. He was a carpenter and cabinet maker during his entire adult life. He spent his life in the service of God as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, baptized in 1960, and lived his life by Biblical principles, setting the example for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Doug and Agnes were married for 47 years until her death on June 3, 1989. They raised six children. One of Doug’s greatest loves was his family, including playing and teaching the grandchildren to wrestle, jump rope, and tumble. He was a strong and hard worker in the carpentry trade, not only building homes but also custom cabinets. He liked horses and western (cowboy) movies, music and books. He experienced life in many parts of the country, including Anaheim, California; Fruita/Palisade, Colorado; Flagstaff, Arizona; Big Bear Lake, California; Highland, California; Alamosa, Colorado. Doug married Betty Layton July 13, 1991. At that time, his family grew by adding Betty, her three children and their families. Betty’s son, Tod, adopted Doug as his father. These additions added to his joy in life. Doug and Betty were happily married over twenty years, until the time of his passing.
Doug is survived by his Wife Betty and her children; his sons Allan (Ellen) Cook of Alamosa, Norman (Theresa) Cook of Muskogee, Oklahoma, and David (Georgia) Cook of Alamosa; daughters Kathy Beres of Fort Collins, Marilyn (Leslie) Graf of Mesa, Arizona, and Debi Strain of Golden, Colorado; 22 grandchildren, Rebecca (Brian) Rowe, Rachel (Jamison) Haponenko, Caleb Cook, Rhonda (Tim) Bekkedahl, Sondra Beres, Mark (Allison) Beres, Eric Beres, Krista (Matt) Campbell, Cameron (Gloria) Cook, Calena (Zack) Ewing, Carson (Tamara) Cook, Celecia (Jeremiah) Brennan, Audrey Graf, Alaina (Dylan) Underkofler, Loren Graf, Lisa (Javier) Gomez-Graf, Brian (Alicia) Cook, Bob (Mandy) Cook, Kari McFadden, Tanya Strain, Rena Strain, Melissa (Joe) Phipps; 38 great grandchildren, Zoe, Jayda, Megan, Logan, Kelsey, Derriq, Kaitlyn, Avery, Ashton, Lily, Gwen, Ava, Emma, Elivia, Elija, Mina, Malaya, Henry, Sam, Sevani, Damon, Blaine, Claire, Caden, Trevor, Mila, Emilee, Kya, Jimmy, Crystal, Charlie, Madison, Gage, Cassandra, Haley, Austin; many nephews and nieces. Doug was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Agnes, a grandson, Joshua, great-grandson Isaac, his siblings, Ruth Robinson, Dorothy Keup, Mildred Quarton, Bruce Cook and Maxwell Cook.
A Celebration of his life will be at The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Alamosa, Colorado on Saturday December 1, 2012. at 2pm, Reception to follow.

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