Jerald "Jerry" Cook

Jerald "Jerry" Eugene Cook, age 70, of Sentinel Butte, North Dakota, passed away on Tuesday, December 18, 2007, at the Methodist Hospital in Arcadia, California. Visitation was held on Thursday, December 27, 2007, at the Douglass Zook Mortuary in Arcadia, California. A Vigil was held at 6:30 P.M. on Thursday, December 27, 2007, at the Douglass Zook Mortuary. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 6:00 P.M. on Friday, December 28, 2007, at the Holy Angels Catholic Church in Arcadia. Douglass and Zook Mortuary of Arcadia, California, is entrusted with arrangements for services in California. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 A.M., Monday, December 31, 2007, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Beach, North Dakota, with Reverend Father David Richter officiating. Rite of Committal will follow in St. Michael’s Cemetery in Sentinel Butte. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Beach is entrusted with local arrangements. Jerry was born on May 2, 1937, in Sentinel Butte, North Dakota, the son of Edward and Bertha (Reed) Cook. As a little boy, Jerry and his friend, Kerm Rink, could be seen pedaling their tricycles throughout the streets of Sentinel Butte, stopping to visit at the Martin Implement Shop, Kennedy’s Drug Store, Reed’s Standard Service Station and other local businesses. Jerry enjoyed riding in the truck with his dad, Eddie, when he delivered gas and oil to area farmers and ranchers. Jerry received his elementary education at Sentinel Butte, in Willard, Montana, and at the Westerheim Rural School north of Sentinel Butte. He attended Sentinel Butte High School and graduated with the class of 1955. On June 2, 1956 Jerry married his high school sweetheart, Grace Hellickson, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Sentinel Butte. To this union, three children were born: Suzanne, Sally, and Brent. Jerry and Grace began their life together in Glendive, Montana. Jerry worked for a short time for a seismograph company and also for KBM Work-Crew Rig. In February of 1957, Jerry and his brother Ward bought the Cook’s Carter Service. In February of 1959, they sold the station. Jerry and Grace moved to California where Jerry began exercising race horses. Shortly after, Jerry began work as a jockey. He weighed 110 pounds including his riding equipment. Jerry won at least seven out of ten races in one day at a track in Caliente, Mexico. Twice at Bay Meadows Race Track in California, he won three races in one day. Jerry rode with well-known jockeys such as Bill Shoemaker, Johnny Longdon, and Eddie Arcaro. In the fall of 1963, Jerry was seriously injured with a severely broken leg. He wore a cast for eighteen months. In June of 1964, Jerry, Grace, and Suzanne returned to Glendive. Jerry and his brother-in-law, Don LeDoux, purchased the same service station that Jerry had previously owned. At this time, Jerry also worked a mail route from Glendive to Lindsay, Circle, and Brockway in Montana. In 1965, Jerry and his brother Jim bought a ranch east of Glendive. In 1969, Jerry, Grace, and their family returned to California. He started exercising horses until an injury forced his retirement. Jerry also worked as a Paramutual Clerk at the race tracks. He managed an off-track betting facility in Santa Barbara, California, for three years. He returned to Santa Anita, California, where he worked until his retirement in 2002. As a businessman, Jerry was part owner of an establishment called Drinkers Hall of Fame in Arcadia, California. He was instrumental in the building of the Sentinel Butte Pavilion. He had active ranching interests in Montana and North Dakota at the time of his death. Jerry’s goal upon retirement was to bring his family to Sentinel Butte to spend a few months each summer. This was accomplished the past five summers. He loved the time spent with his wife, children, and grandchildren riding horses, driving four-wheelers, and other various activities. His family took part in most of the round-ups and brandings with the neighbors and enjoyed coffee and visiting each morning at the Olson Service Station. During his months in California, Jerry didn’t miss a day going to the race track to visit. He loved spending time with his family and friends, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Bertha Cook; and his grandparents, Ted and Lou Cook and Charles and Hazel Reed. Jerry is survived by his wife of 51 years, Grace; his children, Suzanne Cook, Sally Fariss, and Brent Cook; his grandchildren, Amber Fariss, Mallory Cook, and Courtney Conte; his brothers, Jim Cook of Miles City, Montana; Ward Cook and his wife Rita of Sun City, Arizona; Douglas Reed Cook of Glendive, Montana; his sisters, Gwen Huber and her husband Arlo of Veradale, Washington; and Patty Aubertin and her husband Gary of Soap Lake, Washington. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Home On The Range, 16351 I-94, Sentinel Butte, North Dakota 58654.

Jerald "Jerry" Cook

May 2, 1937 - December 31, 2007

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Jerald "Jerry" Cook

May 2, 1937 - December 31, 2007

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

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