Jerry Lee Cook, age 80, of St. Peter’s, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 in Creve Coeur, Missouri. He was born in Fairfield, Iowa on October 3, 1942 to Wilford and Eula Cook (Nordyke) who were lifelong farmers. Jerry is survived by his wife, Pamela; son, Christopher (Tamra) Cook; daughter, Julianne (Steven) Shank; three grandchildren: Madison Shank, Carson Shank, Lily Shank; great grandson, Weston Reiss; and a host of family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Wilford Cook; and his mother, Eula Viola Cook.

Jerry began his education in a one-room school house in Fairfield, Iowa and continued there until completing grade eight after which he attended Fairfield High School. Jerry loved sports and participated in wrestling, track and baseball. He was very active in FFA and raised show cattle and always won ribbons for his champion steers. After graduating from high school, Jerry attended Northeast Missouri State University (Truman University) in Kirksville, Missouri where he carried a dual major in agricultural and social studies education. He did his student teaching at Kirksville High School. Jerry was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) Fraternity and worked as a dorm counselor which helped to pay his way through college. Jerry continued his Master’s of Education degree at Northeast Missouri State.

Later, Jerry went on to complete his Doctor of Education degree. During his senior year, he was introduced to Pamela Roark by a fraternity brother and mutual friend, Dennis Hahn. Jerry and Pam were married September 24, 1966 at First Baptist Church of St. Charles by Reverend Bual Bales. Jerry was already employed by Keosauqua, Iowa High School where he was a teacher and coach. He was later offered a position as a teacher and wrestling coach at St. Charles High School gradually working his way up to principal. This was especially meaningful since SCHS was Pam’s alma mater.

Jerry was the longest tenured principal at St. Charles High School. While there he started the Renaissance Program which was the first in the state of Missouri. He was so proud of the fact that the teachers continued the tradition of this program which recognized students for academic achievement.

Jerry worked in his community and his church serving on the board of trustees of the St. Charles County Library Board. He served on several committees during his years at First Baptist Church of St. Charles. He was a member of the Fernando de Leyba Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution and The Society of the War of 1812 in the State of Missouri. He joined the SAR on June 8, 2009. He enjoyed genealogy and traced his family ancestry back to the 1600’s. He was so thankful that he was able to put together a family reunion where he shared all of his genealogy research.

Jerry loved the Lord, and he and Pam read the Bible, talked together and participated in Bible study at their church. He wanted to leave behind a legacy of his love of the Lord to his family, friends and acquaintances.

Interment was at St. Charles Memorial Gardens, St. Charles, Missouri.