Jerome Cohen

Jerome Cohen, 89, of Kansas City, MO, passed away January 13, 2003, at home. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, January 16, at Temple B'nai Jehudah, 712 E. 69th St., Kansas City, MO. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be sent to The Jeannette and Jerome Cohen Philanthropic Fund, 5801 W. 115th St., Overland Park, KS 66211. Considered one of Kansas City's finest citizens (recipient of the 1998 Chamber of Commerce Kansas Citian of the Year), Jerry lived by the idea that his only reason to be alive was to serve other people. Jerry's remarkable humanitarian spirit poured into all of his endeavors through family, business and community. From his humble beginnings, he always reached out to help others. As his business success grew, so did his heart and ability to have a substantial impact on the Greater Kansas City community. In the business world, Jerry was a pioneer in the office machinery and document reproduction business. In 1938, he and his wife, Jeanette, created the Tempo Company and built it into one of America's leading Gestetner Duplicating businesses. This was followed by the founding of Electronic Business Equipment, Inc. (EBE), which represented the 3M company and introduced the first dry copier -- the Thermofax. EBE grew to be the largest office equipment dealership in the Greater Kansas City area. Jerry was also responsible for the success of many other companies in which he served as Chairman of the Board: RISCO, KPHN/1190 radio station, KCKN/1340 radio station, and Dynamic Computer Solutions. In the Kansas City community, Jerry was involved in over 71 organizations, serving as a leader in many of them. Best known for his involvement with the Mayor's Christmas Tree fund, he served as chairman for 47 years, raising millions of dollars for the needy. He was appointed by Mayor H. Roe Bartle in 1955 to serve on the Kansas City Board of Parks & Recreation, where he vowed to leave the parks better than they were when he first came aboard. Jerry's efforts to fulfill his promise to Bartle began with his involvement in the Kansas City Zoo. He helped their expansion through the creation of the Friends of the Zoo and the Annual Zoo Picnic, which he chaired for more than 25 years, along with the donation of numerous animals. He helped create and was a charter board member of the Starlight Theatre Association and helped with fundraising to build the current stage known as the Jeannette and Jerry Cohen stage. Jerry was instrumental in moving the Dallas Texans football team to Kansas City, where they would be known as the Kansas City Chiefs. Jerry worked toward the rededication of Liberty Memorial on the 40th anniversary of its 1921 groundbreaking. Jerry also originated and chaired the Soap Box Derby. In the Jewish community, Jerry served as President of Temple B'nai Jehudah for two years and created the Jeanette and Jerome Cohen Retreat Center, a 97-acre nature facility for the community. He also served the Jewish community through involvement with the Jewish Federation, Israel Bond Committee, The Jewish Vocational Service, The Jewish Community Center, The Jewish Family and Children Service, the American Jewish Committee, the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, The Jewish Chitaqua Society, and the Jewish Geriatric Center. Jerry also aided in furthering relations between Christians and Jews. Jerry also served on the board of directors of the following organizations: American Institute of Park Executives, Richards-Gebaur Base Community Council, Citizen's Association, Rotary Club 13 Kansas City, MO, Chairman of Boy Scouts Expo 90, Honorary Director of Rockhurst College, Camp Fire Girls, Starlight Theatre, McCoy House, Child World, People to People, Business District League, Sisters Cities Commission, Kansas City Recreation Commission, Senior Citizens Corporation of KC, American Humanics Foundation, MidTown Association, American Royal Association, Business Products Council Association, Friends of the Zoo, Kansas City Safety Council, KC Soap Box Derby, Metropolitan Junior College, Executive Club of Kansas City, Baptist Hospital, and the Greater Kansas City Sports Commission. Jerry was a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, Vice President of the Executive Committee Asphasia Mercy Hospital Committee, Past Master Council of Kadosh-Scottish Rite Bodies of Kansas City, Past Venerable Master Lodge of Perfection-Scottish Rite Bodies of Kansas City, Executive Committee Scottish Rite Foundation of Missouri and many Ararat Shrine committees. Throughout his lifetime, Jerry had been recognized for his outstanding years of service and received many honors including: 1999 Southtown Foundation American Citizen Award, 1998 Chamber of Commerce Kansas Citian of the Year, 1982 The Kansas City Spirit Award, Who's Who in America-44th edition, Who's Who in Finance and Industry1982, 3M Company Armadillo Club, Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary International Benefactor, Who's Who in the Midwest, 1989 American Humanics Exemplar Reward, 1987 J.C. Penney Golden Rule Award, 1984 Jefferson Award Honoree, 1981 National Conference of Christians and Jews-Jewish Honoree, 1981 Kansas City Marketing Executive of the Year, 1979 National Exchange Club Book of Golden Deeds Award, 1977 Toastmaster's International Communications and Leadership Award, and others. Jerry was born in Kansas City, MO, on October 9, 1913, to Helen and Rueben Cohen. Jerry graduated high school at age 15 and continued his education enrolling in business school. He met his wife, Jeannette, on a blind date, and they were married on November 25, 1934. Jerry always attributed his success to his strong partnership with his wife, Jeannette. Jerry often expressed the idea that, "In His Infinite Wisdom, God created us equal. He gives each of us 24 hours a day in which to achieve our goals. If they are wasted, they are neither repeatable nor refundable. He gives the same 24 hours each day to the rich, the poor, the young and the old. Whatever success we may achieve in this life will come from the use and the purposes to which we put God's precious gift of time." Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Rueben and Helen Cohen, and his son, Ronald. Jerry is survived by his wife, Jeannette Cohen, of 64 years; his daughter, Rosalyn Jacobson and husband Howard Jacobson of Prairie Village, KS; his daughter, Elaine Rubin and husband Arlen Rubin of Chicago, IL; his grandson, Richard Jacobson and wife Ali Jacobson of Kansas City; his granddaughter, Sherri Brudoley and Jacob Brudoley of Kansas City; his greatgrandchildren, Ariel and Avi Brudoley of Kansas City; his brother, Robert Cohen of Overland Park, KS; and his brother, Albert Cohen of Leawood, KS; and many nieces and nephews. (Arrangements: The Louis Memorial Chapel, 816-3615211)