Donald Carl Cook

1960 - 2019

DONALD CARL COOK
January 19, 1960 - November 4, 2019

Donald Carl Cook, beloved husband, father, family member and friend, passed away November 4, 2019, surrounded by loved ones. The firstborn child and eldest son of Otto and Katherine Cook, Don grew up in southwest Bakersfield, where he developed lifelong friendships with neighbors and school friends.  Don started working from a young age at Larson's Dairy where he was the last known caretaker of the Dairy's celebrity hippopotamus, Sam. He attended South High, excelling both academically and athletically, and earning the distinction of serving as class valedictorian as well as a spot on the 1978 Kern County All-Star basketball team. Don went on to earn a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he and his friends developed a love of the Central Coast, particularly for camping at Montana de Oro.  His close friends called him 'Big Don.' Don met the love of his life, Diana, in San Diego, where he had just launched his career as an engineer with the state. Two hearts from Bakersfield bonded hundreds of miles from home. Don and Diana married and moved to Castro Valley, where their daughter Olivia, jewel of the family, was born. It was there they raised Olivia, nurturing her into the gifted young woman she is today.

An avid musician, Don played his guitar everywhere from his own basement with friends to backyard and holiday parties with large audiences. He was a coach, mentoring high-school championship basketball teams right out of college and later guiding Olivia's soccer and softball teams through many rewarding seasons. His cooking and home-brew beer skills were legendary, and he and Diana hosted many glorious parties together in their home. Don was a best friend to all and as genuine as they come. His deep empathy, kindness and intellectual curiosity made all feel welcome and appreciated. A highly regarded mechanical engineer, Don was the Principal Safety Engineer for the State of California in the Pressure Vessel Unit, and also held leadership positions and served as chair for several important committees associated with the National Board of Pressure Vessel Inspectors, the California Boiler Inspector's Association and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Don leaves behind his beloved wife of 22 years, Diana Cook, his daughter Olivia, mother Katherine, his brother Robert and wife Kimberly, brother Douglas and his wife Angelica, sister, Stephanie Wood and her husband Norman, as well as nephews and nieces Douglas and Sara Cook, Kazuki Ohashi, and Nathan and Ryan Wood. He was preceded in death by his father, Otto.

A memorial will be held on Saturday, November 23, at 2 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, 4500 Buena Vista Road in Bakersfield. A reception will immediately follow the service at Salty's Banquet Center, 6720 Schirra Court.  An additional celebration of life is planned in Castro Valley on December 7th. Donations to the American Cancer Society are appreciated.