Jerry Wayne Cook

February 15, 1946 – August 14, 2022

Resident Sacramento, CA

Jerry Wayne Cook passed away August 14, 2022, at the age 76. The son of Orval and Luella Cook of Fresno, CA where he grew up with sister Sharon. His childhood was full of fond memories of animals from the zoo in the home since his Father was Superintendent of the Fresno Zoo. The chimpanzee playing with the family dog or the seal in the bathtub were favorites. His 1957 Chevy was his prized vehicle with an article and picture once in the local paper. The Cook family expanded in 1968 when his father Orval married Kathy Isralian with new stepbrother Thomas and sister Susie.

Upon graduating from McClane high school in Fresno in 1963, Jerry moved to the Sacramento area where he met his wife, Janice Ann Lauer. They raised daughter, Christina, and son Kevin while Jerry worked for The State of California.

Jerry enjoyed family camping trips with the trailer, coaching Kevin’s baseball teams, home projects, making wine and always woodworking. In 2002 Jerry entered the California State Fair home wine making division and won bronze for his Delta Alta Bouchet. The wine making equipment was proudly donated to American River College, but prized ribbons still adorn the Cook family home.

After working for the State of California for 40 years, Jerry enjoyed some traveling but mostly woodworking in his garage with daily trips to Dutch Brothers. The neighbors would often stop by when the garage door was up to see the latest projects Jerry was working on which he enjoyed sharing with several of his Dutch Brothers friends.

Forever in our hearts as sweet, kind, generous, Father and Grandfather, he will be missed by many friends that are part of his extended family.

The family will have a Celebration of Life memorial on October 9, 2022, at Bell Aqua Marine Park 5845 Dry Creek Road Rio Linda, CA.