Jerry Cook

Jerry Cook, 74, of Ridge Farm, passed away Friday, February 19, 2016, at his home. On March 18, 1941, Jerry was born to Paul W. and Blanche L. Cook in Danville, IL. On April 4, 1965, he was united in marriage to Linda Marie Mariage. She will miss him dearly. He will also be missed by: two sons, Sheldon Edward Cook of Kansas City, MO and Aaron Christopher (Kacie) Cook of Suffolk, VA; his grandchildren, Kyle Tristin Cook & Hanah Lynne, both of Suffolk, VA; his sister, Gloria (Robert) Nelson of Danville; his brother-in-law, Sammy (Gloria) Mariage of Georgetown; his nephew, Greg (Leah) Nelson of Nineveh, IN; his nieces, Jackie (Steve) Kelly of Danville and Teresa (Greg) Ives of Phoenix, AZ; his great nieces, Stephanie Kelly of Danville, Jackie Kreitzer of Phoenix, AZ; his great nephews, Evan & Jonathan Nelson of Greenwood; and great-great niece, Acacia Kreitzer of Leesburg, VA. He was preceded in death by his parents. Jerry graduated from Georgetown High School, Danville Junior College, and the University of Illinois. In 1970, he graduated from East Texas State (Texas A&M), Commerce, Texas. Jerry was a member of the First Church of Christ in Georgetown where he served as Elder. Five years ago, he approached former pastor Steve Rutter and asked if a Food Pantry could be started and to this day each month there are over 98 families, totaling over 200 adults and 100 children for the towns of Georgetown, Ridge Farm, & Indianola. Jerry served in the US Air Force from 1966 to early fall of 1968; he served with the 4780th Physiological Training Unit, Perrin Air Force Base, Sherman, TX. In late fall of 1968 to 1970, he served with the 374th Tactical Airlift Wing Kadena Air Force Base, flying 88 missions over Vietnam. He also served with the Air Force Reserve Unit at Richard Gebaur, Belton, MO and was honorably discharge in 1988. He worked for the US Department of Agriculture, Kansas City, MO until his retirement in 2001. Upon retirement, he and Linda moved to Yankton, SD where they were members of the First United Methodist Church. He went on mission trips to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Port-Au Prince, Haiti. While in Yankton, he served as Vice-President of the Cramer-Kenyon Heritage Home form 2004-2005. He was currently serving as a member of the American Legion Dornblasers Post #203 and Georgetown Lions Club. Private Graveside services will be held at Danville National Cemetery on Monday, February 22, 2016. There will be a Celebration of Jerry's life to be held at 2:00pm, Monday, February 22, 2016, at First Church of Christ in Georgetown with Phil Miller officiating. Sheldon, Aaron & their Mother would like to invite family & friends for a late lunch at the First Church of Christ Ministry Building after the celebration service. In lieu of flowers., it was Jerry's wish that donations be made to the First Church of Christ Food Pantry. Sunset's Houghton-Leasure Funeral Home in Georgetown assisted family with arrangements. Please join his family in sharing memories through his Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.