Donald James Cogswell was born September 23, 1945 in Washington, D.C. to Frederick and Dorothy Cogswell. Don passed away peacefully at his home in Sebring, Florida on September 5, 2026 surrounded by his wife and sister. He was 80 years old. Don was preceded in death by his father, Frederick A. Cogswell, his mother, Dorothy James Cogswell; his older brother, Frederick W. Cogswell.

Don served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1963 until 1965 .He was an Engine Room Electrician on a Coast Guard cutter, stationed in Alaska during the tsunami that hit the coast in 1964.

Don married Patricia Perkins on September 24, 1965, one day after his 20th birthday in Landover Hills, MD. They lived in Takoma Park, MD., and had their beautiful redheaded daughter, Denise Lorraine Cogswell on May 10, 1966.

Over the years, Don was an automobile salesman, insurance salesman, owner operator, Christmas tree farmer, a college graduate from Salisbury University in Maryland in 1991, he was 3rd in his graduating class and a member of Pi Gamma Mu, bookkeeper, a Deacon in his church, and the "Author" of three books: "Descendants of John Cogswell", or as he called it DJC (his initials), in 1996; The Descendants of John Cogswell:, The Cogswell Family: 1635-2019, a four-volume set (yes there are that many Cogswells in the world); and "A Brief History of the Cogswell Family" in 2021 a paperback. These three books took a good part of Don's life sitting at his computer day in and day out for 25 years. These books were his pride and joy, he always wanted to be an author.

Don leaves behind his loving wife, Pat, of 60 plus years; his daughter, Denise Lorraine Cogswell Welch (Michael); two grandsons, James Kelsey Cogswell (Chelsea) and William Scott Welch; his little sister, Sandra Holmes-Bowman; several nieces and nephews; and his special companion puppy, Abby.

Don hopes you will always remember him as a friend who would help you if he was able. Rather than flowers, Don would appreciate donations to the Sebring Seventh-Day Adventist Church in his memory.

Celebration of life Wednesdday, September 23 at 1 pm. At Sebring Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 2016 State Road 17, Sebring, Fl.