Celebrating the Life of
Donald Gene Cobbett
June 1, 1956 — April 22, 2026
Obituary
No memorial service is planned.
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DONALD GENE COBBETT, age 69, passed away at Boulder Creek Post Acute Care in Poway, California, on April 22, 2026, well loved by his family.
Born on June 1st, 1956 in Moscow, Idaho, Don was the son of Delores and LaVerne Cobbett, who taught him to work hard, love those around him, and trust in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. He was the youngest of his three siblings, with the eldest being, John, followed by Jim and Joan.
Don’s early years were spent in western Washington with idyllic summers in Bothell and on Lake Washington with numerous cousins. In 1963 his family moved to Whittier, California.
As a teenager Don was especially close to his mother and sister as they, together, shouldered the responsibility and grief of Verne’s illness and passing. After graduating from a Christian high school, Don visited his brother John in North Pole, Alaska, where he began to gain an interest in building houses and managing property. He also attended Biola University for one semester, where most memorably, he excelled in a pottery class. He then lovingly took care of his brother Jim, in his final days of fighting cancer, and he was with him at his death. Don moved to Seattle, Washington, in his twenties and began fixing up properties, managing rentals, subdividing and improving property, and working in personal finance and investing.
On April 21, 1984, Don married his love, Kay Annette Cressey in Bellevue, Washington. Together, they built a life guided by their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Kay remembers Don as a caring husband who loved her unconditionally and who never held grudges. They loved hosting family and friends at their home in Seattle and then in Oceanside. Don was tender and helpful to both Kay’s mother and toward his own mom, Delores, and her second husband, Angelo. Don was always eager to spend time with Del and Angelo and help them in whatever way he could.
Don’s favorite places to be were in the yard and garage working on projects, at the BBQ cooking for family gatherings, and hitting a croquet ball around the course with friends and family. He delighted in spending time with his cousins' children, hiring them to work on his projects, and playing Rook with them. He enjoyed water skiing, boogie boarding, taking his dog Checkers for walks along the beach, shopping at Costco, and eating steak and drinking Fresca! One of Don’s happy places was his Yakima River cabin, where he also gained great satisfaction out of developing several nearby subdivision lots.
Don’s favorite Bible verse was John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” He believed that salvation was by grace alone, through faith in Christ’s work on the cross.
Don is survived by his wife, Kay, his sister Joan, his brother John, his only niece, Wendy, and by her children, Hudson and John. Numerous extended family members grieve Don’s illness and his passing.
Don will be remembered for his loving, tender care of others, his fun-loving and hospitable personality, and his kindness and generosity. Though a devastating disease wreaked havoc with his body, mind, and marriage for nearly the last 20 years of his life, still God’s grace enabled him to be remarkably positive and loving in his interactions during his final years. He spoke words of love to his family and to his best friend and advocate Doug, expressed concern for others, and communicated thankfulness for the care he was receiving. Don will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
Memories and Condolences
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Alan and Don, best pals for so many years and now together with the Lord.
We had a wonderful visit with Don the week before he passed away. With difficulty he placed his hand over mine and he said, "I love you, Wendy".
Uncle Don taught me how to ride a bike! North Pole, Alaska. 1977?
Helping John, Mary and Wendy drive up the AlCan with building supplies.
Learning log building.
Raft trip on the Nenana River
Don's North Pole cabin
Don, Joan, Del, John
John, Wendy, Dan Cooley, Don
I love this one, Kay!
November 19, 2023 Uncle Don and the new Marine, Hudson!
Just knowing that Don is with the Lord Jesus blesses my heart. Personally never met Donny, but his sister Joan is my best friend and I know how she and Bud loved Donny (as Joan called him), beyond measure. They visited him often, and sent many cards, letters, and photos to make his day better. Joan and Bud both prayed for him often. And their love has not stopped, just a slight pause until they meet him again in Glory, with full hearts of Praise to Jesus Christ the Lord. I’m grateful to know that Don was loved so well by all his family. Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
Finally, I'm finding some pics of Dan and Don! This is from 2006 and captures the loads of fun we had with Don over the years at places Knotts Berry Farm, Legoland, and Disneyland! Who could forget the log ride and then chicken dinner and pie at Knotts!?
Again, Uncle Don isn't in this pic, but you can almost see him relaxing in his zero-gravity beach chair, with his can of Fresca, getting Hudson all duded out in the tiny wetsuit, and then bribing him to go in the water with the promise of gum! LOL!
Dan, Don and Kay, and baby John!
Don may not be in this picture with little John! But you know he provided the towels, beach toys, Fresca, and gum! Good memories of Oceanside!
My favorite picture of Don and me!! I have such happy childhood memories of time with Uncle Don. He played with me, talked to me, paid me to wash his dishes for 25 cents a week, and made me feel important and loved. He was my favorite person! When I was going into 1st grade, my parents didn't have the money to send me to Christian school, but Uncle Don paid for me to get started at North Pole Christian school that year. Even then I knew that action by a young man was remarkable, and it showed me how much he valued God's word and how much he wanted me to grow up to know Jesus. I am so thankful for his generosity and his heart that wanted my good above anything else.
Uncle Don with Hudson and John!
Another beautiful picture of Don and Kay in their Seattle home and Don's gardening expertise!
Doug, Don’s dear and faithful friend and advocate
In Don & Kay's home in Oceanside. I'm pretty sure, knowing Del, that the dog Angelo is holding on her shoulder is stuffed! Ha!
Wendy & Uncle Don
Mom said that Don was her “little Bunches of Honey.” 😊
Visiting Don in CA with Dan and both boys!
North Pole AK 1970. Don with his big brother John.
Don & Kay Christmas 1989 at our sister Barb’s home in Bellevue.
Don with both brother-in-laws Vic Lindsay and Bob Richter.
From Gretchen Van Kommer Anderson: Please accept my sincere condolences, Don was a dear man. God bless him. May angels lift you up in your grief.
Joan, I know that you and Don were so close as children and that watching him be affected by illness for all these years must have been so painful. Your enduring love for Don and the faithful letters that you sent to him every day are beautiful pictures of God’s steadfast, faithful love for us…a love that never quits. Thank you for walking in the good works God prepared for you, so that we could get a glimpse of just one aspect of God’s glory. Lamentations 3:22-23 “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
"Kay, I love you. I’m so sorry for the long, hard journey that you have been on through Don’s decline and death. But my heart is so encouraged whenever we chat—because you have kept clinging to your faith in Jesus, through every step, even if you weren’t sure what to do next. God’s keeping power and grace are evident in your life. Jesus has done beautiful things in you, even through suffering and pain. 1 Peter 1:3-5 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefined and will not fade away, reserved in Heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
From Gary Anderson: Joan… this is truly a wonderful tribute to Don. Thank you so much for sharing. I offer my deepest condolences for your loss of such a wonderful brother. We all owe Don such a great debt of gratitude for all he did for us. I was so privileged to know him. He was so full of energy and ideas that he put into action to the benefit of all those he loved. He played a major role in my Dad’s life managing his retirement property transforming it into a highly successful enterprise which is still ongoing to this day. More than that he was one of Dad’s dearest friends and a steadfast and faithful brother in the Lord. He and Dad had such deep and animated discussions regarding faith in our Savior and Lord Jesus. And my children remember him fondly as, along with his cousin Alan, taught them to waterski one memorable summer they spent with Dad and Mom at their lake house. Now he is with Jesus in heaven; a member of the great crowd of witnesses. No more pain or suffering warmly welcomed as a good and faithful servant of Christ. His, a life well lived to the glory of God! I offer my love and prayers to you and your entire family praising God for Don and how superbly God used him to bless us all.
From Gary Anderson: Oh Wendy, I thought of you and the pictures you have shared that show your relationship and love that you and your uncle Don shared. Truly he was and is now in his real home in heaven a remarkable character - true hero of the faith. Always encouraging, always reaching out to help He made good things happen. I remember how excited he always was when we visited with him. From showing me his fish in his aquarium in Whittier, CA to welcoming me with genuine hospitality to his cabin in the woods along the river near Leavenworth, WA. I was in awe of all he could accomplish. Yes a dear friend in Jesus Christ. Such an inspiration! I offer my sincere love and condolences to you and your entire family. Along with sharing in the joy of knowing he now complete and whole in his true home in heaven with all those who have gone before to be with Lord. "
From Lisa Nolland: Dear Joan, I grieve for you and your family at this time However, I am sure Donny has never been better. My dad believed he saw my mother go into glory and he never wanted her back. He kept telling me that... But such loss for those who had the privilege of knowing Donny Warmly, Lisa
From Ryan Anderson: Thank you so much for sending this Wendy! I was so sorry to hear of Don's passing, but am grateful he is free and home with Jesus.
From Kirstjen Pollock: Thank you for sending me this. Thinking of you and praying for your family
Our heartfelt condolences to Kay and family on Don’s passing. We only had the pleasure of seeing Don and Kay 2 or 3 times but really enjoyed their company and fellowship. We do know that Don is in a better place and free from pain and suffering. May the good Lord lay his hands on the family and give them comfort and peace during this trying time.
As Kay’s sister and knowing Don for many years as part of our family, I send my sincere sympathy for your loss. When Don was well, he was such a caring husband to Kay. People who knew them as a couple said “he treats her like a princess”. He loved life in every way, always ready for fun. I also know Don’s family was a huge inspiration and support for Kay’s faith, especially with Don’s mother Del. I’m thankful he’s now finally united in heaven with his Lord and all his many loved ones.