Gerald 'Jerry' G. Cook

Gerald (Jerry) Gray Cook, 86, of Kearney, passed away on September 3rd, 2022 at home in Kearney surrounded by his beloved wife Sandy and his children. A celebration of life is planned on September 30th, at 2:00 pm, at Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, Nebraska with military honors graveside. Father Tim Anderson will officiate. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to the family in lieu of flowers. The family will be installing a memorial at “The Regency” in Kearney where he and Sandy lived. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Jerry was born on December 29th, 1935, in Moundridge, KS to Elmer and Evangeline (Gray) Cook. When Jerry was a baby the family moved to Vega, Tx. He attended grade school, junior high, and high school in Vega, Texas and graduated from Vega High in 1954. Jerry furthered his education at West Texas State University, Canyon, Texas. He took a break from college to serve his country in the United States Air Force from 1955 to 1958. He enlisted and spent his time training pilots on their flight instruments. His main duty stations were Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas and Royal Air Force Base (RAF) Alconbury, England. Jerry then returned to West Texas State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in 1966. Jerry started working for Diamond Shamrock selling fertilizer and farm chemicals. He worked for 11 years with Dimond Shamrock and traveled in Eastern Kansas, Western Colorado, and Southwestern Nebraska. Jerry then switched over to Farmland COOP in 1978 and worked in Eads, Colorado; then moved to Nebraska and worked in David City, Stapleton, Holdrege, Wahoo, Firth and finally retired in 2001 from the COOP in Waverly, NE. Jerry was married to Celia Beals from 1969-1977. They raised three children Bryan, Corey and Ramona. He remarried in 1985 to Sandra (Sandy) Kramer. Sandy brought three daughters to the family Laura, Jona and Mista. Sandy was the light of his life. They shared 37 wonderful years together. They traveled together across the country and world. Their trips to Alaska, Germany, France, Arizona, the Rockies and the East Coast were highlights. Jerry was a devout Christian and was very involved with the Episcopal Church in his different communities. He taught Sunday School, served on the Vestry and was involved with Cursillo as a statewide representative. His faith was very strong, and he loved the fellowship that he had with his fellow parishioners. His hobbies were taking pictures, reading the newspaper, and traveling the state, country and Europe to see his family. He also loved watching his kids and grandkids compete in high school and college sports. You could be assured that he and his friends would jump into his van and drive across the state to watch the Holdrege Dusters compete in football and basketball. Jerry also enjoyed Husker Football and Volleyball. Jerry is survived by his wife Sandy, sons Bryan Cook of Omaha, Corey and Jane (Verbeck) Cook of Lincoln; daughter Ramona and Gabe Brown of North Platte; bonus daughters Laura and Nick Romeo of Arapahoe, Jona and Rodney Barr of Wolbach, and Mista and Dustin White of Alliance; 25 Grandchildren; and 17 Great-Grandchildren. Sisters Cathy Palmitier-Gage of Denver, Colorado, Lessa Shiffer of Marydel, Maryland and Brother David and Tina Cook of Red Rock, Arizona. He is preceded in death by his Mother Evangeline (Gray) Cook, Father Elmer Cook, Stepmother Minnie (Gibson) Cook; Sisters Barbara Hunter and Beverly Cook; Brother-In-Laws Frank Palmitier and James Shiffer; niece Crystal (Hunter) Dowdle; and Mother and Father-in-Law Twyla and Charles (Skinner) Kramer. A reception will follow the graveside service at 2901 Willowwind Road in North Platte.

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Gerald 'Jerry' G. Cook

December 29, 1935 - September 3, 2022