October 9, 1921 – January 24, 2020

Douglas Pennington Cookson was born in Winnipeg to John Pennington Cookson and Jean Elizabeth Shephard Cookson on October 9, 1921 and later grew up in Regina, SK. Doug was predeceased by his wife of 56 years Doreen Patricia Cookson (nee Parker) and his three siblings and their spouses including John Alexander Shephard Cookson (Laura), William Robert Lundy Cookson and Beatrice Jean Hugh (Tom), as well as Pat’s six sisters and one brother and their spouses.

As a youngster, Doug contributed to the family’s income with a newspaper route, then by playing music at a skating rink. Later, Doug and Bill ran a Saturday night dance for friends by broadcasting music with a phonograph wired to various speakers. This music was also picked up by neighbours. After being closed down due to it being deemed an illegal radio station, a neighbour complained to Doug’s mother that she could no longer find her favourite radio station that played the best dance music on Saturday night.

As an adult, Doug worked for Imperial Oil for over 20 years and later Prairie Nurseries in Estevan, SK. Doug and his brother-in-law Jerry Swallow owned Artlite Studios and KPA Printers in Kamloops BC. Doug finished his entrepreneurial career with his own print brokerage firm.

Doug met Pat Parker, a student nurse at Regina General Hospital on a blind date, thanks to his aunt, Ann Cordingly, a supervisor of the nurses’ residence. Doug would marry Pat in 1952. Doug and Pat had three children, Penny (Mario), Cate (David) and Jim who were born in Estevan and later grew up in Kamloops. Doug is survived by his children and grandchildren: Russell Bissett (Kristen), Tricia Higgins (James), Bryan Cookson, Clara Cookson and great grandchildren: Cate and JD Higgins and Violet and Myles Bissett and Christine Cookson, Clara and Bryan’s Mom.

For Doug, family and friends were the most important thing. He was involved in the lives of his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and their children and many of their friends. Doug is survived by his cousin Gordon Drescher (Jill) who live in California.

While retired, Doug and Pat travelled across Canada, the United States, and much of Europe. Doug also went with Jim to Singapore.  In 2002 Doug and Pat purchased a cottage in Ontario with Penny and Mario where they spent many happy times.

After Pat died in 2009, Doug’s life changed dramatically. This included a move to Canterbury Court. It took Doug awhile to settle into Canterbury Court but then he made many friends and participated in most of the available activities.  Doug also spent part of this time in Toronto and enjoyed each visit the cottage.  In the last six months, due to a fall and needing more complex care Doug moved to Hearthstone Manor.  Doug’s family would like to thank the staff at both Canterbury Court and Hearthstone Manor who did their best to make each place feel like home and helped to make life better for their Dad.

Doug was loved by his family and friends and will be greatly missed. We hope he has joined Pat and is prepping practical jokes for all the other family members and friends who predeceased him.

Doug’s celebration of life will be held at 2pm on Thursday January 30^th at Pleasant Valley Funeral Home, 4303 Pleasant Valley Rd, Vernon, BC V1T 4M4.

In lieu of flowers, donation can be made to the Okanagan College Cookson Family Award, or to the Okanagan Rail Trail.

Arrangements entrusted with Pleasant Valley Funeral Home, 250-542-4333.