Donnie Rooks Obituary

Rooks
Following a series of assignments in the Intelligence field, Don was commissioned as a Warrant Officer at Ft Bliss, Texas in 1962. Assignments in the Air Defense field followed along with a second tour in Germany in January 1964. In July 1964, Don received a direct commission to First Lieutenant in the Signal Corps. After two combat tours in Vietnam, Major Rooks retired in Heidelberg, Germany in March 1975.
Don and Charlotte
moved to Colorado Springs in October 1992 to enjoy the great outdoors provided in Colorado and traveled with their RV throughout the USA, including Alaska.
DONNIE R. ROOKS
August 25, 1934 December 23, 2018
Major Don Rooks was born August 25th, 1934 in Hall Summit, Louisiana to Wiley and Ozell (Woodard) Rooks, the first of 8 children. He passed away December 23rd, 2018.
Don worked for three years as a firefighter before joining the Army in March 1955. He was assigned to the 11th Airborne Division at Ft Campbell, Kentucky. There he completed airborne jump school. The Division was transferred to Germany in early 1956. Shortly thereafter he met his future wife, Charlotte. After completing a 6-month Intelligence and Foreign Language School in Oberammergau, Germany, he and Charlotte were married in Munich in September 1957.
Major Rooks started a second career with a European Aerospace Firm for whom he worked from 1975-1992. He and his wife were avid outdoors people enjoying skiing on the slopes of Germany, France, Austria and Italy in the winter. The summer months found them biking or hiking in the beautiful forests and mountain plateaus of Germany and Italy.
Don was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Charlotte in May 2012; daughter Cheryl Lynn in October 2008 and brother Bill Rooks. He is survived by stepson, Wolfgang Radlinger of Australia; two granddaughters Heather Marcotti of Aumsville, Oregon and Jodi Luna of Seattle, Washington; 4 great grandchildren and brother Wiley Jr of Louisiana.
A committal service will be held on Thursday, January 3rd, 9:00am Area "A" at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 S. Sheridan Blvd, Denver CO 80235. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Vacations for Warriors.