Jerry Dean Cope, devoted Christian, son, husband, father, brother, grandfather, friend, and community leader, passed away at age 66 on Friday, April 26. Jerry, the third of four siblings, was born June 17, 1957, and raised on a ranch east of Hot Springs, South Dakota, by Wilbert and Jean Cope. He attended a two-room country school and was fond of saying that listening to lessons taught to the "big grades" prepared him for a lifetime of learning from those around him. He attended Hot Springs High School (1975) and earned a degree in Agriculture Business from Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana (1980).

Jerry's 35 year career in the grain industry was defined by his ability to build and maintain relationships. After 21 years at South Dakota Wheat Growers (now Agtegra) in Aberdeen, Jerry and his family moved to the Black Hills in 2011, when he joined Dakota Mill & Grain Inc. Jerry cared deeply about, and loved spending time with, customers who became friends, often traveling to meet with them at their farms and ranches and getting to know their families.

Jerry was recognized as a community leader at the local, state, regional, and national levels. He served as member and President of the South Dakota Grain & Feed Association, member and Chairman of the USDA Grain Grades Oversight Committee, member of the US Surface Transportation Board Rail Shipper Transportation Advisory Council, board member and committee member of the National Grain and Feed Association, appointed member and Chairman of the South Dakota State Rail Board, and most recently, President of the Central States Fair and Black Hills Stock Show Board of Directors. Jerry graduated from South Dakota Agricultural & Rural Leadership (SDARL) Class III.

Jerry was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping. He was known for his quick wit, sense of humor, and talent for storytelling. To know Jerry was to know how much he adored his family. He was deeply devoted to Lori, his wife of 36 years, and together they raised three strong, beautiful daughters, Zoë, Leslie, and Audrey. Jerry lived life to the fullest and inspired his family and friends to do the same. Above all, Jerry was happiest when his family was together. His joy in spending time with them—hiking, playing games, telling jokes, traveling, and gathering around the dinner table—was matched only by the immense joy he brought them in return.

Jerry lived with Christ at the center of his life and without fear of the future. His legacy of hope, humor, kindness, and humility will live on in all those whose lives he touched.

Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Wilbert Cope, his father- and mother-in-law, Arbie and Lucille Ronke, and his brothers-in-law, Rudy Wassenaar and Edward Ronke.

Deeply honored to be a part of his life and left to cherish his memory are his mother, Jean Cope Craft, his wife, Lori, and his daughters, Zoë (John Sigmier) Cope, Leslie (Christian) Custer, and Audrey (Jordan) Beck; his siblings, James (Jan) Cope, Marjorie (Randy) Schmidt, and Marilyn (Greg) Opitz; his in-laws Marlowe (Nancy) Ronke, Roxanne (Alan) Nelson, Carla (Jack) Voss, and Lisa Ronke; and his beloved granddaughter, Helen Custer. Jerry is also survived by a much-loved extended family of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made out to Lori Cope for the establishment of a memorial fund, and that memories and stories continue to be shared in celebration of his life.

He will be dearly missed by family, friends, and everyone touched by his love and compassion. Jerry's visitation will be held on Thursday, May 2nd at 5:00 PM, with a prayer service beginning at 6:00 PM at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home in Rapid City, South Dakota. The funeral will be held Friday May 3 at 1:30 PM at Blessed Sacrament Church in Rapid City, South Dakota with a reception to follow at the GenPro Energy Pavilion at the Central States Fairgrounds.