Donald Cooper Vincent

DONALD “DUCK” COOPER VINCENT, 79, of Suwannee, passed away surrounded by family on Friday, November 23, 2012 after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in Eustis, Florida, he was a lifelong resident of Central Florida. Donald attended Apopka High School where he was ­­­senior class president and played baseball on three different teams. He married his high school sweetheart and began working at the Harry P. Leu Hardware Store in Orlando. He was drafted and served in the US Army during the Korean War. In 1952 he began his career with Minute Maid which later was purchased by Coca-Cola. Under Coke, Donald was moved first to Houston, then Atlanta, and finally back home again. He has many friends scattered throughout the country and has had the opportunity to play golf at the best courses in the US. He retired from Coca-Cola in sales & marketing after 35 years and went over to Winter Garden Citrus Co-Op. Upon re-retiring, he had time to focus on his true talent, cooking, along with being an avid outdoorsman. Fishing was his passion. He passed this love down to his grandkids where he taught them to fish on the Suwannee River. Every summer, he lived, entertained, and played golf at the Springdale Country Club in Cruso, NC. Donald was a member of the American Legion, K.C.B.S. BBQ Association as a Judge and the Zellwood United Methodist Church. Donald is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carol E. Vincent, Suwannee, FL; daughter, Debra Lynn (Robert) Ryan, Apopka, FL; sister, Cicily Mae Turner, Ormond Beach, FL; 5 grandchildren, Joshua Cooper Vincent, Amanda Carol Ryan, Sarah Anne Ryan, Erica Nicole Crosby, and Robert Paul Ryan III. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Donna Carol Crosby; son, Thomas Cooper Vincent and grandson, Ryan Patrick Redmond. Services will be held at Zellwood United Methodist Church on Friday, November 30, 2012 at 11:30 AM. Interment will follow at Conquest Cemetery, Zellwood. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Conquest Cemetery, c/o Zellwood United Methodist Church, 5538 Jones Avenue, Zellwood, FL 32798. Online Guestbook available at www.hardenpauli.com Arrangements by Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis.