Donna Jo Woods Cool

A wake for Donna Jo Woods Cool will be held Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at 5:00 pm with Holy Rosary following at 7:00 pm, at Stewart Family Funeral Home on Old Jacksonville Highway in Tyler. Requiem mass will be said at Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Flint Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at 6:00 pm. Burial will be at DFW National Cemetery on Thursday, May 1, 2014 at 12:30 pm under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Donna Jo Woods Cool passed away peacefully Friday, April 25, 2014, at her home in Tyler, Texas. She was born in Emerson, Iowa on October 24, 1935 to Harlan A. “Woody” and Helen A. (Hurley) Woods. In 1947, the family moved to Concordia, Kansas. She married her high school sweetheart Gary D. Cool June 7, 1954 in Concordia, Kansas. When Gary graduated from the University of Kansas in 1957, “Rock Chalk… Jayhawk…KU” Donna was awarded a PhT - Putting Hubby Thru degree. And … they were off to Fort Worth, Texas, working for Convair while waiting for “their” entrance to the United States Air Force. She proudly spent 22 years creating a loving home wherever the Air Force sent them. One of her happiest moments was when Gary assumed command of the 17th TRS in Zweibrucken AB, Germany, where she became surrogate mother hen to the many young aircrew members and their wives during their first time in a foreign country. Upon return to the US, Gary and Donna eventually settled in Arlington, Texas, for 10 years while he was employed at General Dynamics in Fort Worth. In 1992, they retired to Lake Palestine, Texas, to enjoy fishing, gardening, traveling and chasing grandkids. Donna was preceded in death by her parents and brother, William David (Billie David) Woods. She is survived by her husband, Gary of Tyler, their children Christine and husband Gary Hubbard of Arlington; Douglas and wife Veronica Cool of Round Rock; daughter Rebecca Cool of Tyler and daughter Michelle and husband Brian Worman of Lubbock; her sister Sue and husband Ken Vignery of Concordia, Kansas. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and her 17th squadron kids. Donna loved Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Flint and was very, very proud to have been one of the founding group from 1998. Donna was a faithful friend to so many as well as a loyal and devoted wife and mother. Though she had much suffering in these later years, she never faltered in her resolve to pray for us all and to support this parish. The family would like to specifically thank the staff at The Hospice of East Texas, especially Joyce & Debra. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to either Muscular Dystrophy Association, 3800 Paluxy Dr., Ste. 535, Tyler 75703, in honor of her grandson Ian, St. Mary Magdalene’s Building Fund, 18221 FM 2493, Flint 75762 or to The Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler 75701.

Donna Jo Woods Cool

October 24, 1935 - April 25, 2014