Donald Shaw Cook

Donald Shaw Cook, age 83, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at his home in Griffin Georgia. He was born December 1, 1935 in Alcoa, Tennessee to William Preston Cook and Eddie Rhea Smith Cook. His deceased wife of 56 years was Billie Jean Cook. He is survived by his sister, Jan Cook, his sons Keith and Ken Cook, daughter Kellie Cook Shelnutt, and special friend Evelyn (Doodle) White. Don was the proud grandfather of five grandsons, Tyler and Brandon Shelnutt, Austin Cook, and Jared and Davis Cook.

He served in the United States Air Force and moved to Griffin in 1969. He retired after 30 years of service as an Air Traffic Controller in Hampton, Georgia. He spent the next 20 years flying a DC-3, DC-4, and Beech 18, cargo and passengers for Captain Academy Airlines, He was Chief Pilot of Christian Air Ministry and Captain of Hill Aviation, flying a King Air. Don loved flying, and one of his favorite sayings was, “If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.” Don was a co-founder of Church of Joy in 1979 with two other families, upholding their core beliefs of Jesus first, others second, and self third. He truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures, spending time with his special friend, loving his grandsons, hanging out at the airport, and serving at his church. Don was a wonderful story teller, and had an uncanny ability to reach people in a deep and positive way.

Family, friends, and others whose lives Don touched are invited to the Conner- Westbury Funeral Home at 1891 W. McIntosh Road in Griffin, GA on Friday evening, March 1st from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The funeral will be at Church of Joy, 3080 GA Hwy 362, Williamson, GA at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 2nd. Burial will be at Westwood Gardens.

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