James Cook, 82

On Saturday, March 15, 2025, Sturgis lost a humble and faithful servant of the community. James Tuttle Cook encountered friends, former students, and those he volunteered with whenever he ran errands around town. It was common for a simple trip to the grocery store to take far longer than it should because he would get caught up in conversations. The youngest of three children, he was born in Lansing on July 10, 1943, to Lewis D. Cook and Janet Tuttle Cook. At the tender age of 16, he asked his crush out for a date. Three years after this first date, his big sister gave him some of the best advice he ever received; she informed him that if he didn’t put a ring on her finger, she would be snatched up by someone else. He married that crush, Anne L. Frier, on January 1, 1966, while on leave from the Air Force. He served in the air police and was stationed at Elmendorf in Anchorage, Alaska and Ellsworth, South Dakota from 1962 to 1966. This past New Year’s Day they celebrated 59 years of marriage, and this has been a beautiful example to everyone around them of what a loving marriage should be. He graduated from Ferris State University with a Bachelor’s degree, and he earned his Master’s degree from Indiana State University. He started his teaching career in 1971 at Vincennes University. They returned to Michigan in 1977 where he taught at Glen Oaks Community College until he retired in 2013.

He was a volunteer extraordinaire in church and community. He worked with the Volunteer in Police Service (VIPS), chaired the Sturgis Township Planning Commission, served as president of the local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and served in several roles at St. John’s Episcopal church including both the junior warden and vestry member.

Over the years he and Anne fostered 72 children. One child stayed a night, others for years, and in the case of three lucky children, they became a forever addition to the family through adoption. Many of these children are still in contact well into adulthood.

A long-time woodworker, he found joy in making rocking horses and toys for grandchildren, heirloom-quality clocks for wedding gifts, or beautiful furniture that had detailed craftsmanship that would rival the work of professional woodworkers. He would often be found tinkering in his woodshop trying out a new idea he found or working on project ideas given to him from friends and loved ones.

He was predeceased by his parents, his sisters Sally (Arnold) Orvis and Jane (Harold) Stockfisch, and a half-brother Jerry D. Cook. He is survived by his wife: Anne; children Jennifer (Steven) Kelly, Jeremy (Angie) Cook, Matthew (Gina) Cook, Laura (Troy) Eichenberger, Adam (Anna) Cook, Emma Cook, and a very special foster child, Samantha Lummen. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren and one great-grandson.

A requiem Mass will be celebrated at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Sturgis, Michigan by Fr. Richard Kallenberg on Friday, March 21, 2025, at 2:00. In honor of Jim’s sweet tooth and love of ice cream and cookies, a dessert reception will follow the service. Following the Mass the remains will be placed in St. Johns Memorial Gardens at which time full military honors will be conferred by Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 V.F.W. Honor Guard and U.S. Air Force Honor Guard.

The Hackman Family Funeral Homes of Sturgis is entrusted with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to St. John’s Episcopal Church, Sturgis; Glen Oaks Community College scholarship funds; Sturgis Pregnancy Helpline; or Sturgis Youth for Christ.