Jerry Dean Cook

1937 - 2013

Jerry Dean Cook, 74, passed away peacefully Monday evening March 11, 2013 at Lodi Memorial Hospital with his children as well as his very good friends present. Jerry was born in the township of Union, Missouri, April 12, 1937. Jerry moved to the Lodi community with his parents at an early age and graduated Lodi High School in 1955. He earned an AA degree from Stockton College and attended the College of the Pacific, now known as the University of the Pacific. Jerry earned a degree in photo journalism and attended the Brook's Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara after opening his own business; many may remember Jerry Cook Photography located on Pine Street, across from the Carnegie Library in Lodi. Later he moved on to purchase Patrician Studio in Stockton as well as provide aerial photography for the Dept. of Forestry, using infrared film to locate hot spots combatting forest fires. He did this while hanging out of the door of a small airplane, he loved doing that! Jerry mentored a lot of people along the way, some while he served as a Boy Scout leader teaching many young men skills in backpacking the Sierra Nevada Mountains. An accomplished marksman, avid hunter and fisherman, he loved the outdoors and taught his children and many others the joys of the outdoors. Jerry served as, an Artilleryman in the California National Guard and the community as a member of the Kiwanis club for many years and served a term as the president here in Lodi. Jerry was known as a master story teller and I doubt there is a person around town that knew him, that hasn't chuckled at one of his jokes!
Jerry is survived by his oldest son Mark Cook of Alaska, daughter Jill Battaglia and youngest son Lane Cook as well as three grandchildren. Jerry is also survived by his brothers, Barton and Bill Mingee and his sisters Lynelle Mingee and Sherry Sampson hailing from Missouri.
A memorial service will be held at the Faith Community Church of the Nazarene located at 18621 California 99 in Lodi, Friday March 22 at 11AM with a potluck immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the National Rifle Association, Institute for Legislative Action at www.nraila.org