Gerald Harry Kock, 73, of Cowiche, died at Cottage in the Meadow with his family at his side, Wednesday, October 5, 2016. He had complications of Aplastic Anemia. On-line condolences may be left at the Brookside Funeral Home.
Gerald was born June 10, 1943 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Harry William and Dena Fern (Nielsen) Kock. He graduated from Chester High School in 1961. He was Honorably Discharged after serving in the U.S. Army in Germany during the Vietnam Era. He married Jean Ann Eilertson on May 15, 1970 in Madison, SD. They moved to Washington and spent their married life in the Yakima Valley. Gerald was a ranch foreman in the Yakima Valley for 27 years and also worked at Yakima Elks Golf Course for ten years in grounds keeping and maintenance.
Gerald was an active member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary for thirty years, the Wenas Valley Muzzleloader Club, American Legion and Christ Lutheran Church. Gerald was a unique man in many ways, including his alien hand as a result from his strokes six years ago and a special eye surgery to correct his bottom eye lashes that turned inward. Gerald had a special bond with animals and especially his rescue dog Mocha and their three cats, Kelly, Sparky and Susie. He enjoyed his home and did an awesome job designing their rock gardens and other landscaping. Gerald had a special love for Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Jean Kock of Cowiche, brothers and sisters, Joanne Limmer Gagnon & husband Virgil of Madison, SD, Lyvonne Yeigh of Sioux Falls, SD, Judy & Don Finnell of Lennox, SD, Gloria & Warren Bidwell of New Ulm, MN, Richard Kock of Madison, SD, Merlin & Judy Kock of Sioux Falls, SD, step brothers, Irvin & Connie Merry and Keith & Susie Merry of Dell Rapids, SD and step sisters, Lou Ann Johnson of Phillip, SD and Phyllis & Tim Bettles of Herrington, KS and numerous nieces and nephews.. He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers-in-law, Darwin Limmer and Harry Yeigh, sister-in-law Janet Kock, and step brother-in-law, Ron Johnson.
Memorial Service celebrating Gerald’s Life will be held Sunday, October 9, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, 5606 W. Lincoln., Yakima, WA.
Memorials may be made to Christ Lutheran Church or the Yakima Humane Society, c/o Brookside Funeral Home & Crematory, PO Box 1267, Moxee, WA 98936.
