IN MEMORIAM: Jerry Crook ‘76
The Rev. Jerry Vardaman Crook III, Class of 1976, died Friday, February 26, 2021, with his wife, Sandra Webb Crook, at his side in their home in Memphis, TN.
Born October 10, 1946, in Memphis, TN, to Jerry Vardaman Crook, Jr. and Mary Richartz Crook, Crook attended White Station High School and graduated from Columbia Military Academy and Lambuth College before attending General.
Throughout his life, he had a devoted ministry, from youth ministry to pastoral ministry, to interim ministry and chaplaincy. He served churches in Georgia (Albany, Americus, Augusta, Hinesville, and Richmond Hill), and Seaside, FL.
His most recent service was in Memphis when he was called by the Bishop of the Diocese of West Tennessee to lead congregations of All Saints, St. Elizabeth's, and Church of the Annunciation. With his new wife, Sandy by his side, he celebrated the liturgy and delivered homilies from memory. Crook officially retired in 2019 but never stopped ministering.
He found joy surrounded by his family, five grandchildren who knew him as "Pappy", and countless friends. He loved to travel, listen to books, attend University of Memphis basketball games, and share a glass of wine with friends over a good meal.
Crook was preceded in death by his parents, William Robson Mitchum, MD and Mary Richartz Mitchum, Father Jerry Vardaman Crook Jr., wife, Roberta Sullivan, grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Vardaman Crook Sr., and his beloved Aunt, Katherine K. Gordon. He is survived by his wife, Sandra "Sandy" Webb Crook of Memphis, TN, his daughter, Collins Lamar Daye (Alan Berardo), their daughter, Sullivan Cady; stepsons, John Joseph Baker IV (Kathryn), their daughters, Lilian Nell and Ainsley Day, and Patrick Hugh Baker (Aimee) and their children, Ethan Anderson and Madeline Evelyn; brothers, William Robson Mitchum, Jr. (Jan), and Dr. James Richartz Mitchum (Lisa), and numerous nieces, nephews, and their families.
He will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure to know him.
A service was held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 2 at St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral.