David Kerry Cook

David Kerry Cook

Cedar Rapids

David Kerry Cook, 85, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away from mesothelioma on Friday, April 4, 2025. Visitation: 4:00-7:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 15, 2025, Papich-Kuba Funeral Service. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 16, 2025, Saint Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, by Father Aaron Junge, with visitation held one hour prior to Mass. Burial will be held at a later date at Saint Joseph's Cemetery, Prairieburg, Iowa. Papich-Kuba Funeral Service, 1228 2nd Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401, is serving the family.

Dave is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary Lou; children, David K. Cook Jr. of Cedar Rapids, Lori A. Warnell (Scott) of Marshalltown, Iowa, and Jason A. Cook of Cedar Rapids; more than 30 grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Susan M. Matthes in 2005; his parents, Fred A. and Martha E. (Charipar) Cook and brother, Donald T. Cook. Dave was also preceded in death by his mother and father-in-law, Eileen and Ronald "Sparrow" Dolan.

David was born February 17, 1940, in Cedar Rapids, where he lived his entire life other than two years in the Army and five years in Central City, Iowa. He was a 1958 graduate of Jefferson High School. On November 6, 1971, Dave married Mary Lou Dolan in Cedar Rapids.

Dave was a sheet metal worker primarily involved in the heating and air conditioning field and affiliated with Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 263 for 38 years until his retirement in 2000. He was an Army veteran serving from 1960 to 1962 and receiving the Good Conduct Medal.

Dave was a member of Saint Wenceslaus Catholic Church. He was president of the Sheet Metal Worker's Retirees Club from 2000 to 2022. Dave was a member of

the American Legion Post in Springville, Iowa, and the Eagles Club in Cedar Rapids. He also was a beekeeper for more than 20 years. Considering himself a "world traveler", Dave and Mary Lou visited 49 states and more than 20 countries. His means of transportation included motorcycle, car, train, plane, ship, ferry and bus and he was always ready for another adventure!

Hobbies of Dave's included bowling, fishing, camping, hunting, canoeing, ice skating and creating objects from stained glass.

He was a member of the Boy Scouts and also played the trumpet as a youth. He was always proud of the fact that he played the trumpet at the first televised Easter Service held at the First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. Dave also performed in parades, sporting events, whistle stops, concerts and musical contests.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Dave's family.

The family would like to thank the Oldorf Hospice House for the care of Dave over the last year.

Certainly a life well-lived!