Donald Cooke

Donald Cooke Sr. age 77, a resident of Portland, passed away Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Silver Birch Assisted Living in Muncie.

Donald was born Aug. 27, 1947, in Southampton, Virginia, the son of Charlie and Lizzie Mae (Bradshaw) Cooke. He served as a medic with the U.S. Army and helped organize and worked for Jay Emergency Medical Service. He worked for Strick Corporation and owned and operated Lockbusters in Portland. Don was a Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 206. He was a member of West Walnut Church of Christ in Portland, Morning Breakfast Optimist Club and Trinity United Methodist in Portland.

Donald Married Janice Valentine on Jan. 16, 1982.

Survivors include:

His wife — Janice Cooke, Portland

Two sons — Don Cooke II (wife: Trinda) – Portland, and Michael Cooke (wife: Stashia), Portland

One daughter — Renita Harris, Frankfort

One brother — Glenn Cooke (wife: Paulette), Windsor, Virginia 

Seventeen grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren

Donald was preceded in death by a daughter Christina Starr and 7 brothers.

Visitation will be held Wednesday from 1 to 7 p.m. at Williamson-Spencer and Penrod Funeral Home in Portland and 9 to 10 a.m. on Thursday at West Walnut Church of Christ. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. at West Walnut Church of Christ in Portland. Burial will follow at Green Park Cemetery in Portland. Military honors will be conducted by the Portland American Legion Post #211.

Memorials may be directed to West Walnut Church of Christ.  

Condolences may be expressed at williamsonspencer.com.