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Donald Cooper Obituary
Gone But Not Forgotten~
Captain Donald Eugene Cooper, 93, of Port Ludlow, Washington, passed away peacefully on April 6, 2025. Born on March 3, 1932, in Everett, Washington, Donald was the son of Alfred and Bernadine Cooper.
He honorably served in the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and the National Guard. In May 1961, Donald completed officer training and flight training with the Air Force and served during the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Cold War. He retired from military service at the rank of Major after a distinguished career of dedication to his country.
Following his military service, Donald pursued a long career in commercial aviation. He joined Pan American Airlines and worked as a navigator, flight engineer, and first officer, eventually retiring as a Captain. He truly loved his career in aviation and cherished the opportunity to travel the world through flying. Donald will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to his family and country, and his passion for aviation.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Betty; his son, Eric Cooper, and daughter-in-law, Kelle Kitchel-Cooper; his granddaughter, Callaway Cooper; and his niece and nephew, Francine Cooper Long and Alfred Cooper and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred, and Bernadine Cooper.
A memorial service to honor Donald's life will be held in the summer of 2025.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Brenda-Anne Carpenter-Dymock
June 12, 2025
Don was a Pan Am icon for sure .He was always so kind and did a wonderful job of organising many of our reunions . With fond memories of the good times and lovely chats we had over the years ,He will be so missed by so many God Bless!!
Brenda-Anne carpenter-Dymock {LAX]
Tori Johnson-Kelso
June 8, 2025
Jim and I were so very saddened to hear about Don´s passing. He was a Pan Am legend that could not be matched! We were very honored to be a part of his team to help gather former Pan Amers to party and share treasured memories of days gone by. He will be missed!
Tori and Jim Kelso
Dennis Panzer
June 7, 2025
Don was a helluva nice guy. He was always fun to fly with and was involved in many Pan Am reunions after the airline was gone. Our time shared was at the Pan Am base in Berlin which was probably the best base in the world. Fair winds and blue skies Don. I will see you at the big Happy Hour in the sky down the road.
Mary Lou Bigelow
June 6, 2025
I am heart sick at this news. Captain Don Cooper loved Pan Am. He with his special committee of dedicated Pan Am helpers, gave many wonderful Pan Am family reunions. The first one I attended was Monaco, then Honolulu (he helped coordinate for Margaret O'Shaughnessy for the fantastic Irish Spring reunion in Foynes and Limerick, Ireland, and finally Berlin. He loved his dear friends Captain Tommy Carroll and Max Gurney (who spearheaded the Monaco trip through his relationship with HRH Prince Albert II of Monaco and family). He stayed true to Pan Am and was saddened not to be able to travel to see his pals. I have continued to chat with him from time to time. Just thought of giving him another call a few days ago. I will dearly miss those calls. My deepest sympathy to his dear wife Betty and family.
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Debbi Martin Fuller
June 6, 2025
Because of Capt. Don Cooper, I went to Pan Am reunions in Hawaii, Monaco and Ireland. They were the BEST! So sad to hear this news, but he did live a LONG and fabulous life. My sincerest condolences to his family. Below are a pic from each reunion.
Marlies Suter (PAA - Purser 1951 to 1961)
June 6, 2025
Our heartiest condolences - dear Betty. We have very fond memories
of Don and his many wonderfully arranged Pan Am Meetings, like f.e.
Berlin etc. Our thoughts are with you
Marlies and Harry (in Lucerne Switzerland)
Margaret O'Shaughnessy
May 12, 2025
It is with great sadness that today I have discovered that my wonderful friend Don Cooper has departed this world. Words cannot describe Don adequately. I got to know Don through Pan Am when he supported me in every way possible to organise a PAA reunion here in Ireland in 2016. Don & Betty were our star guests and we kept in touch until covid hit. I have wondered many times how they were both doing. Its not every day you get to have a friend like Don and today I am filled with great sadness and loss. I just wish I could be there to attend his memorial. So from Ireland across the atlantic miles rest easy my dear friend till we met again.
Margaret O'Shaughnessy, Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum,
Foynes, Ireland
Steve Ball
April 22, 2025
Steve Ball
I met Don in the early 70's in the 116th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Washington Air National Guard. I was a new 2nd Lt Weapon System Officer who really wanted to go to USAF Pilot Training. Don took a special interest in me and got me in his back seat of the T-33 every chance he got. He let me fly the entire mission even though I was still a Navigator. He lobbied constantly for the unit to send me to Pilot Training and was instrumental in making that happen. I will always be grateful for his kindness and friendship. I continued in the Guard for 30 years and like Don, had a wonderful civilian flying career retiring as a Captain at Alaska Airlines. Thank you Don for getting off to a good start.
Carleton B. "Barney" Waldrop
April 21, 2025
I have probably known Don Cooper longer than anyone who will read this post. Don and I shared an apartment in Lincoln, NE when we were attending the University of Nebraska and flying F-86s and RF-84Fs for the Nebraska ANG in the early 1960s. He coordinated the blind date that resulted in the +60 year marriage to my wife, Rosemary. He was my friend, my brother and a unique, interesting, wonderful man. He brought light and joy into every room he entered and I'm confident everyone's memories of Don Cooper will come with a smile. He will be missed.
Carleton B. "Barney" Waldrop, Clarkston, WA
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