Donald Franklin Kokomoor

Reverend Donald Franklin Kokomoor, 94, of Englewood Florida, passed away peacefully on December 28, 2023 at the age of 94. Donald was born on February 6, 1929, in Gainesville, Florida. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to many people throughout the United States and beyond.

Donald was well known by many through his ministerial affiliation with the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. He was affectionately referred to as "Rev" by his many parishioners throughout his career and within additional churches served after retirement. Donald loved the outdoors and was always actively pursuing avocations such as bee keeping, gardening and carpentry. He enjoyed spending his retirement years traveling and spending winters in Florida and summers at the family camp in the Green Mountains of Vermont. He and his wife, Katharine, traveled throughout the states in their motor home and would frequently travel back and forth between Florida and Vermont in the company of their beloved golden retrievers. Donald had a deep appreciation for relationships with friends and never hesitated to engage with people in their own space.

Donald was the son of Dr. and Mrs. Franklin Wesley Kokomoor, PhD, of Gainesville, FL. He was an inaugural student of P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School affiliated with the University of Florida and could tell many stories of swimming in the UF pool, slipping onto Florida Field and having the run of Gainesville as could be expected of the youngest of 3 children. Following grade school, Donald graduated from the University of Florida, with a group major in sociology, psychology, and speech. He would often reflect on many experiences during that time, telling stories of hitchhiking to the Florida Keys, working in the UF Dairy sciences program and spending time at the Wesley Foundation where his interest in religion grew.

Upon graduation from the University of Florida in 1949, Donald was accepted at the Candler School of Theology, Emory University, in Atlanta Georgia. It was during this time in Atlanta that Donald met his future wife, Katharine Warren Loemker. Donald and Katharine were married on April 25, 1953, in Atlanta Georgia.

Following their wedding, Donald and Katharine honeymooned in Fayston, Vermont and then located to northern Florida where Donald became an elder in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. During his tenure with the Conference, Donald was appointed, by the bishop, to churches in McIntosh, Starke, St. Petersburg, Lakeland, Fort Myers, Indialantic and New Port Richy, Florida. In all, Donald had over 40 years of service and affiliation with the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church.

After retirement, Donald and Katharine traveled. Donald served for a year in a Congregational Church in Waitsfield, Vermont and later accepted a 3-year, winter appointment to "Chapel by the Sea", in Captiva Florida.

In addition to his professional and ministerial accomplishments, Donald cherished family and emphasized its importance through strong commitments of time. He is survived by his loving wife, Katharine Loemker Kokomoor, his daughter Gretchen Kokomoor-Ward (John), his son, Karl Kokomoor (Susan), his son, A. Kris Kokomoor (Katey), his eight grandchildren: Erin Kokomoor Clemens (Bradley), Kevin Kokomoor (Jennifer), Wesley Kokomoor, Erik Edison (Stephanie), Kaley Kokomoor (Hugh), Rachael Kokomoor-Purdy (Micah), Jackie Kokomoor and Sam Kokomoor, and 9 great grandchildren: Emily Clemens, Austin Clemens, Oliver Kokomoor, Brandon Clemens, Arlo Edison, Waylon Edison, Wesley Robins, Teagan Purdy, and Warren Kokomoor

Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Franklin W. Kokomoor and Mrs. Flora Weller Kokomoor, his brother, Dr. Marvin Kokomoor and sister, Gretchen Kokomoor Brill.

Private, celebration of life ceremonies will be held both in Florida and the family camp in Fayston, Vermont. Donald always enjoyed Vermont and all the life surrounding the Camp Lukacilleten family mountain retreat. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Florida United Methodist Youth Foundation.