Ernest Cooke, Jr.

Ernest “Ernie” Vosburg Cooke, Jr., age 86, passed away at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene, ID, on February 20, 2017.

Ernie was born in White Plains, NY, on February 18, 1931, to Ernest and Beatrice (Mandler) Cooke. He was raised in Arlington, VA. After graduating from Washington-Lee High School, Ernie earned degrees from several colleges: College of William & Mary, Pennsylvania State University, George Washington University, The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and The University of Arkansas at Little Rock receiving multiple degrees, the highest being a Doctorate in Ministry. Ernie married Beverly Turner on September 1, 1953, in Arlington, VA.

A career United States Air Force officer, in 1973, he retired as a Lt. Colonel, specializing in meteorology. He then worked for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for 9 years.

Ernie and Beverly moved to Texas where he was called to ministry and became an ordained minister serving in 2 churches. They then moved to Florida and in 1988 moved to Hot Springs Village, AR, where they resided for 23 years before moving to North Idaho. Ernie was a member of College of William & Mary Choir, the Kiwanis Club, and Emmanuel Baptist Church in Coeur d’Alene, ID. He enjoyed computers, fantasy baseball, and researching genealogy recently receiving membership in the General Society of Mayflower Descendants.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years Beverly; 2 children: son Donald Ernest and wife Susan Beth Cooke of Woodbridge, VA, and daughter Susan Lee and husband Dwayne Gault Davis of Cocolalla, ID; 4 grandchildren: Jonathan Francis Cooke, Jordan Elizabeth Cooke, Brian Dwayne Davis, and Julie Michelle Davis; 2 great-grandchildren Dakota Lorelei and Dallas Brian Davis; and sister Linda C. Haptonstall of Granbury, TX. Memorials may be made to Barcelona Road Baptist Church Mission Fund, 390 N. Barcelona Rd., Hot Springs Village, AR 71909.

Memorial service will be held at a later date.