Donald Glenn Cooper fell in love with the fire service at a young age, getting his first taste of the profession during a summer work program after high school with the California Division of Forestry. Beginning his career as a seasonal firefighter, Donald worked his way through the ranks and eventually reached the rank of captain. In his free time, he enjoyed spending time with his family, competing in fast-pitch softball, following NASCAR and driving in demolition derbies. Donald died in 2004 as a result of job-related lung cancer.