JERRY COOKSON

Mr. Gerald K. "Jerry" Cookson, 71, of 807 Springlake Drive, a well known long time Quincy Funeral Director, died at 10:54 a.m. Wednesday (January 17, 2007) in Blessing Hospital.

Born June 3, 1935 in Clayton, Illinois, Jerry was the son of Orin K. and Irene D. Flesner Cookson. He was a 1953 graduate of Plymouth High School where he was active with sports and was 1st chair trumpet in the band. He was selected to play in the Hancock County Show Band and the Boys State Show Band in Springfield. He also gained a reputation as an outstanding basketball player. In his sophomore year, he scored 27 points and made the winning basket in the 1951 Regional Tournament against a previously undefeated Augusta High School team. In his senior year, Jerry was voted the Most Valuable Player Award in Hancock County. Upon graduation, he received a basketball scholarship from Carthage College where he played for two years.

On September 25, 1955, Jerry married his high school sweetheart, Barbara J. Payne in Plymouth, Illinois. Following their marriage, they moved to Chicago to attend the Worsham School of Mortuary Science. He graduated in 1956 and he received his Illinois Funeral Directors license in 1957 after completing his apprenticeship when he joined his parents in the operation of their Funeral Homes in Augusta and Plymouth. In 1962 his brother Rod joined the family business. In 1963, Jerry and Barb were one of eight families to organize and build the Faith Lutheran Church in Augusta.

In 1965, the family purchased the Daugherty Memorial Home at 6th & Spring and Jerry and Barb moved to Quincy to operate the business. In 1967, the family purchased the corner of 24th & Spring where they built the Cookson-Daugherty Colonial Chapel which remained a funeral home until the death of his father, Orin in 1978, when Jerry and Rod purchased the Zehender Robinson Stormer Funeral Home and merged the businesses to their present location at 1435 State Street. Jerry retired in 2003, but remained active in the business in a part time capacity until his passing.

Jerry was a member of Luther Memorial Church, where he served two terms on the Church Council, Herman Masonic Lodge No. 39, Quincy Consistory, Ansar Shrine Temple of Springfield, Quincy Shrine Club, Quincy High Twelve Club No. 40, Mart Heinen Club, Springlake Country Club, National Funeral Directors Association, Illinois Funeral Directors Association, Tri State Funeral Directors Association and Associated Funeral Directors. Jerry had been elected to receive the Meritorious Service Award this June by the Council of Deliberation for his work in Quincy Consistory.

Jerry enjoyed golfing, fishing, collecting antiques and in his earlier years boating with his family at the Lake of the Ozarks. He loved to restore Ford Mustangs and Shelby cars and was especially proud of his two 1968 Shelby Convertables, both of which were National Show Car winners in Dearborn, Michigan and Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was an avid QHS Blue Devil basketball fan during the Sherill Hanks and Jerry Leggett era's and had served on the founding Thanksgiving Tournament Committee. He always looked forward to the old Quincy College Holiday Tournament and had served as an Honorary Coach for many of the teams. Jerry was an enthusiastic supporter and booster of Coach Marty Bell's Quincy University basketball teams. In the past few years, he took his greatest pleasure in watching his grandson, Seth participate with QHS athletics, in particular in following him during his golf matches.

Survivors include his wife, Barb; a daughter, Robin Leonard and her husband Howard of Quincy; a son, Rick Cookson of St. Louis, MO.; a grandson, Seth Leonard of Quincy; his mother, Irene Cookson of Quincy; a brother, Roderick Cookson and his wife Karen of Quincy; three step grandchildren, George Leonard of Payson, Ginny Leonard and Bobbi Leonard both of Quincy; six step great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Cookson was preceded in death by his father, Orin K. Cookson.

Funeral services will be held Saturday morning at 10:30 in the Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home by the Rev. Leland Uden. Burial will be in Greenmount Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday evening from 3:00 to 7:00 and Saturday until the time of services at the funeral home

Memorials may be made to Luther Memorial Church or the Quincy University Men's Basketball program.