Donald Miller Cook, a chartering member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity at Northwestern State University, died on January 16, 2024 in Orlando, Florida.

He was born on April 9, 1936 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Ernest Miller Cook and Louthelma Milford.

Cook was preceded in death by late wife Myra Boynton Brown, the mother of their children, Elizabeth Cook Owen, Donald Michael Cook, Daniel Lewis Cook, and Roger Randolph Cook. He is also preceded in death by his second wife, Esther Leigh Howard.

He is survived by his children and his grandchildren, Connor William Cook and Greylynn Miller Cook.

Donald was raised in Oil City, Louisiana. He graduated in the last class of Oil City High School in 1955.

He attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana at the insistence and guidance of his beloved aunt, Harriet Milford Cook. He worked his way through college with summer and weekend jobs in the Ark-La-Tex Oil Fields.

While at Northwestern State, he was a proud member of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and a member of the Northwestern State marching and dance bands.

He earned a scholarship, playing second-trumpet for 3 years in the Demonnaires, a 17-piece dance band under the direction of fellow Pi Kapp Jerry Payne, and another scholarship through ROTC.

Cook graduated in 1958 with a Bachelors in Business Administration and earned his commission in the United States Army through ROTC. He later earned a Master’s degree from Wayne State University.

After 27 years in the U.S. Army, with tours in Germany, Korea, and Vietnam, he retired as a Colonel.

He was genuinely charismatic and was still cracking jokes at Somerby Assisted Living until the end. Don loved time with family and friends who will always remember his keen sense of humor and his love for a good story.

Per Don’s wishes, a family burial service will be held in Vienna, Georgia later this year where he will be interred with wife Myra.

Beta Omicron Chapter Founders’ Generation Group organizer Mike Murphy reflected on Cook’s lifelong friendship. Cook was frequently tasked with serving as master of ceremonies for the group’s alumni gatherings in Natchitoches.

“Don’s death is a significant loss for our group. Don was such an active alumni and a great friend to us all.”