Colorado
Remembering Donnell Eugene Cook: A Life of Service and Family in Northwest Florida
Donnell Eugene Cook, 87, of Milton,FL, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2026 surrounded by family.Don was born on August 15, 1938 in Louisiana, Missouri and moved to Gulf Breeze, FL with his family in August of 1953. Throughout his…
Key points
- Donnell Eugene Cook, a longtime resident of Milton, passed away at the age of 87.
- He served in the Army and later worked for Monsanto and as a maintenance supervisor in Destin.
- A memorial service will take place at Barrancas National Cemetery at NAS Pensacola on July 28, 2026.
Donnell Eugene Cook, aged 87, of Milton, Florida, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones. Originally born on August 15, 1938, in Louisiana, Missouri, Don moved to Gulf Breeze in 1953 with his family.
Don was well-regarded for his humor, kindness, and deep love for his family and friends. Those close to him will fondly remember his quick wit and infectious laughter, which touched many lives throughout his journey.
In 1960, Don was drafted into the Army, serving as an artilleryman. He was recognized for his marksmanship with the M-1 Rifle, earning a sharpshooter badge. During a brief leave in 1961, he married his sweetheart, Clara Jean Cotton. Don was honorably discharged in 1963 but continued to serve in the Army Reserves until 1967.
Following his military service, Don dedicated 32 years to office services at Monsanto. After an early retirement, he and Clara Jean explored the country in their RV and enjoyed boating. He later worked as a maintenance supervisor at Inlet Reef in Destin for another 17 years, cherishing the camaraderie of family, friends, and colleagues.
Don is preceded in death by his mother, Reba Wetzel; stepfather, Richard Wetzel; father, Donnell Cook; and great-grandson, Brooks Laney. He is survived by his wife, Clara Jean Cook; daughters Cindy Platt (Dean), Leigh Ann Cotton (Jeff), and Tammy Holley (Randy Debman); brother Richard Wetzel (Bev); sister Debbie Matheny (Ronnie); four grandsons, one granddaughter, five great-grandchildren; and many extended family members.
A memorial service is scheduled for Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 11:30 am at Barrancas National Cemetery at NAS Pensacola. The funeral procession will depart from Waters and Hibbert Funeral Home, located at 124 W Gregory St, Pensacola, FL, at 11:00 am. Attendees are encouraged to arrive by 10:45 am.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Rally Gulf Coast (rallyfoundation.org, in memory of Don Cook for Brooks Laney), Mission Barnabas (missionbarnabas.us), or Colorado Horse Rescue (chr.org).
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Based on reporting originally published by Waters & Hibbert Funeral Home (Pensacola). Read the original story.
