Obituaries

Jack Dewayne Cook was born August 17, 1933 in Waterloo, to McKinley and Lillian Backstrom Cook.

Jack attended Waterloo Schools and graduated from East High School in 1953.

He worked with his brother, Mack, in the trucking business before entering the U.S. Army where he served in the 39^th Infantry. He was honorably discharged and continued with his trucking business in the Allison, Iowa area. During the off trucking season he enrolled at Gates Business College and earned an Associate’s Degree in 1964. Jack continued to purse the study of business and economics in his spare time.

Jack became a John Deere employee and worked as a mechanic in the Foundry. Later he worked in Engine Engineering at Product Engineering Center until his retirement.

He enjoyed watching both his daughter and granddaughter playing high school basketball and run cross country and track. He never missed a game or track meet. Jack also enjoyed traveling to the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, and all of the 50 states. Another one of his favorites was watching the three Iowa College football and basketball teams.

Jack built two houses of his own and assisted friends and family with construction of their homes. He was an avid “do it yourself” type of guy.

Jack passed away Saturday afternoon, September 1, 2018 at the age of 85. A life well lived.

He is survived by his daughter Jaquel Cook Sherrod and her mother Joyce Cook, a granddaughter DeNae Nash, sister-in-law Willie Eva Cook, and many special nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Preceded in death by his parents, brother McKinley, Jr., “Mack,” and two sisters Vernetta Caldwell and Elizabeth Jones.