Donnie Cook, 73, of Texarkana left this earth “Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky” from his home on July 7, 2025. If you knew Donnie, you know how much he lived his life through music. He often said if he had a memorial of any kind, he wanted “Spirit in the Sky” by Norman Greenbaum played. He would follow that statement with, “The only line I don’t like is, “Never been a sinner, I never sinned’. So, even though it seems a little unorthodox, that is why this obit starts the way it does.

Donnie was born, Donald Wayne Cook, on September 19, 1951 in Arkansas City, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald Ervin Cook and Leota Onstott Cook , his sister Sue Sloan, and his brother Jerry Cook. He is survived by his partner Ginger Williams, his sister Dee Randol, daughters Candy McCoy (Brandon) and Jessy Kimbell (Ricky), and his bonus son Alex (Amanda) and their children. Grandchildren Caleb (Natia), Lynlee, Ava, and Brooklyn.

He is survived by his bonus family through Ginger - daughter Toni Sircely (Bryan), son Craig Cook (Kristin), and granddaughter Cameron Cook, sister- in-law Jan Robison (Jerry), and brother-in-law Pat Roberson (Kim). He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews who brought joy into his life and whom he loved.

Donnie was the most kind, loving, and giving partner of 34 years to Ginger Williams and was loved dearly. He was the calm in our immediate and extended family. He possessed a quiet wisdom, always there to guide, if needed, but never there to insist or push his thoughts, beliefs, or ways onto others. He was a man who was completely selfless, and whose main trait was serving others.

In addition to being the very best partner, he was a loving dad, and wonderful Papa. Donnie loved his cat family at home, and his very close feline buddy Sundance (who he named) will be the representative for them all. He loved animals, especially cats, and cared for many, providing them with food and shelter. Being a proponent of spay and neuter, Donnie did his part by trapping, neutering, and releasing many, many cats over the last 11 years, making sure they had the necessary vaccines before release.

Donnie worked in management, mostly in the food distribution industry. He was a leader, not a boss. He never asked those he supervised to do anything he wouldn’t do himself. He always went the extra mile. He also was an entrepreneur, having had several of his own businesses.

Donnie lived in and traveled to numerous states due to his career. He also enjoyed traveling for fun, both domestic and internationally. Donnie has many friends across the country. He always met people easily, and once a friend, you were his friend forever. He had a special place in his heart for Ark City High School class of 1969, and always enjoyed being the DJ at their class reunions.

Along with his kind, sweet spirit, he led a very interesting life, filled with diverse experiences. He loved baseball, and played the sport most of his life beginning early in his childhood. On his high school team in Kansas, he was a catcher. He attended college on a baseball scholarship in Wyoming. He was very fast, and one of his favorite things to do was to steal bases. Throughout his life, he remained a loyal supporter of the St. Louis Cardinals, attending several of their games. He was also a skilled bowler. While being a member of a traveling bowling league, his team won 1st place in the state of Kansas. Donnie loved the movie ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’. During the CB era, Donnie’s handle was ‘Sundance Kid’. He was a competitive dancer, along with being an accomplished DJ and Emcee.

A special thanks to his niece, Susan, a retired RN who guided both Donnie and his family through this journey, and made several trips from west Texas to help in numerous ways. The family wishes to thank Dierksen Hospice for their loving care of Donnie.

A Celebration of Life will be held on July 26, 2025 at 1635 Myrtle Springs Rd. Texarkana, TX 75503 (Rooted Special Events). This celebration will be a very casual come and go visitation during the hours of 1 pm to 4 pm local time. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to Texarkana Animal League https://texarkanaanimalleague.rescuegroups.org/ or Dierksen Hospice – both in Texarkana, TX.

Arrangements are entrusted to Tri-State Cremation and Funeral Services.

View the memorial video below:
https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/F58HRPBHQ35FTQHY?e=1

Donald Cook

September 19, 1951 - July 07, 2025

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