Daniel Cook

Daniel A. Cook, Jr. (83) of Lake Mary, Florida, devout Christian; and devoted son, brother, and father; 32° Master Mason; and 35-year metastatic lung cancer survivor, passed away on April 1, 2025, in La Paz, Mexico, while on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise. Dan never met a stranger, he was always able to find a connection with just about anyone. If you met Dan, no doubt you heard him say, "[he is] thankful to be here." Dan loved the Grand Canyon. He spent nearly a year's time running the rapids on 18 trips through the "Grand" with his brother Myron. He was surrounded by family near and far at the time of his passing.

Dan was the first son of Daniel A. Cook, and Sally Cook (Ryder), born in Johnson City, Tennessee, on March 22, 1942. Dan graduated from Mentor High School, in Mentor, Ohio, in 1960. After which, he spent 4 years active duty in the Air Force, stationed in California, Mississippi, and a year at Tan Son Nhut air base near Saigon, Vietnam. With an Honorable Discharge, Dan returned to the US. He studied mathematics and graduated from Heidelberg College, in Tiffin, Ohio, in 1969. At Heidelberg, he met and later married Susan M. Abbott, with whom he had 4 children proudly referred to as "Jen, Cin, San, Dan," who he always thanked for giving him "bragging rights." Dan spent the bulk of his professional career as a dedicated employee of IBM. The family spent time in Lima, Ohio; Coral Springs, Florida; and Rocky Mount, North Carolina. But one of his favorite homes was the community of Dublin, Georgia. In retirement, for nearly 20 years, Dan lived in Palm Bay, Florida; where he enjoyed his retirement job working at Brevard County Schools for 7 years, and actively attending Prince of Peace Church. In his final years, Dan lived in a retirement community in Lake Mary, Florida, where he enjoyed social time with his neighbors, happy hour, and playing bridge.

He is survived by his loving and adventurous brother Myron Cook, who was traveling with him in Mexico; daughters, Jennifer Krajecki, Cindy Hornbaker, Sandy Whisnant; and son, Daniel Cook. He enjoyed the company of his many grandchildren, Lauren, Ashleigh, Harrison, Addison, Jensen, Josie, Tommy, Bryan, Wyatt, and Tyler.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

There will be a celebration of his life at The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, 251 E. Lake Brantley Drive; Longwood, FL 32779, on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 11 am. Light reception to follow service.