Jeff “JD” Cook passed away in early March 2022 after a long battle with cancer. 

Jeff was born in Neodesha, Kansas in 1956 to Dale and Shirley Cook.  When he was a child, his family moved to Chanute, Kansas.  There he was a member of his High School football team, his Junior college theater group, and helped coach his younger brothers’ baseball team. 

Jeff put himself through college working in the Kansas oil field. He graduated twice from Pittsburg State; first studying history and education, and following 2 years of teaching returned for a degree in computers.  A lifelong interest in history remained, but various aspects of software development were his career from then onward.

He initially thought that would lead to a back-office job with the oil industry.  Due to economic conditions when he graduated, however, he found himself instead working for the railroad in St. Louis.  

Prior to Union Pacific moving to Omaha, Jeff was hired by MasterCard where he built and supported several business systems.  During that time he discovered Toastmasters, becoming active on a local and regional level.

He also was involved in Boy Scouts as a leader for both his sons and his stepsons’ troops. 

Following his time at MasterCard, Jeff created databases for Paynecrest and Cupertino electric companies.  His last position was in support of a legacy database at Nestle Purina, assisting in transforming pieces of it to a more modern system. 

Over a decade ago he entered some rooms that showed him a different way to live.  Many thanks to his fellow travelers – you know who you are.  

Jeff was preceded in death by his father and his brother, Marty.  He is survived by his mother, his sister Becky and brother Matt, all of Kansas. Also by his wife Cindy, his sons Jim and Tom, 3 step-children Dale, Zack, and Laura, and numerous nieces and nephews. 

A lifelong Cardinals fan from his childhood days, Jeff learned to love hockey after his move to St. Louis and was a passionate St Louis Blues fan.  He also enjoyed traveling around the surrounding area with his buddy Don to watch various rising high school talents in football and basketball, including regional and state tournaments.  Regular homecoming visits and getting together with the old crew were also a highlight of his life. 

Additional interests included fishing, target shooting, and racquetball which he continued playing as pandemic protocols would permit right up until chemotherapy interfered.  

In leiu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.  All are welcome to join us for the PanCAN PurpleStride St. Louis on the JD Cook Memorial Walk team.