David W. Cooke

COOKE, David W., Sr, 85, of Columbus, Ohio, peacefully passed away in his home Tuesday, March 23, 2021. David was born in Detroit, Michigan, on May 31, 1935, to Edward Goddard Cooke Sr. of London, Ontario, and Helen Vredeveld Cooke of Fremont, Michigan. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Mary Kathryn (Kay) Conroy Cooke, sons David W. Cooke, Jr. (Yvonne) of Scottsdale, AZ, and Thomas J. Cooke (Carmen) of West Hartford, CT, and daughter Judith A. Cooke of Springfield, MA, and step-daughters Susan E. Pugh (Dale) and Melissa C. Bugg. He is also survived by his sister Miriam Jane Schaafsma (dec. Sy Schaafsma) and predeceased by his brother Rev. Edward Goddard Cooke, Jr. (Annetta). Grandchildren: David W. Cooke III, Samantha Cooke Moore (Mike), Brandon Cooke, Andrea Cooke, Diana Cooke, Natalie Cooke, Owen Cooke, and Seth Cooke. Step-grandchildren: Jacob Bugg, Hannah Bugg, George Bugg, Kathryn Pugh, Dale Pugh, and Jack Pugh. Great Grandchildren: Masen Moore and Dylen Moore. And numerous nieces and nephews. He attended elementary school at the Grosse Point Christian Day School, Southeastern High School, Detroit, Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, and the University of Dayton, Dayton, OH. He often joked about having so many alma maters because it took him 20 years to graduate from college. He was employed at the J. L. Hudson Company in Detroit in his early career. He also participated in the civil rights movement of the 1960s, started an outreach ministry in Detroit, was a precinct delegate in Grosse Pointe Park, and a talented woodworker and photographer. He was employed by CIBA Pharmaceutical Company for more than 20 years in various roles in hospital sales, medical sales, and medical sales management. After earning an MBA from the University of Dayton in 1978, he was a Business Manager in the College of Medicine at Ohio State. He also taught as an adjunct professor in Business at Franklin University and managed several medical practices. David was also active with youth group mission trips for close to 20 years through his church. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Ohio or Mid-Ohio Food Bank.