Thomas "Jerry" Jerome Cogswell

Thomas Jerome Cogswell (“Jerry”) passed away after a struggle with cancer on July 1, 2024. The son of Harry Jerome Cogswell and Ruth Yancey Cogswell, Jerry was born on November 23, 1936, and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Chicago Latin School, Culver Academy Summer Institute, Choate School, and Brown University.

Music played a central role in Jerry’s life. He began playing the piano at age 7 and later mastered the trumpet. As a boy, he was the bugler at Camp Tosebo, waking his fellow campers with a rousing rendition of Reveille in the morning, and putting them to sleep with Taps after a full day. He went on to play the trumpet in the Culver Military Marching Band. At Choate, he organized and led a swing band that traveled to other New England schools to entertain at dances, which he claimed gave him a chance to meet all the girls! After college, he spent six years in the Illinois Air National Guard, where he played in the Marching Band as well.

Boating was also a passion of Jerry’s. He spent countless hours piloting his vessels and entertaining friends and family aboard “Ginger” and other craft on Lake Michigan and Biscayne Bay over the years.

Through his love for dogs, Jerry became involved with the Southeastern Guide Dogs Inc. organization. As a result, Jerry adopted two “career change” dogs who were his companions through thick and thin. Other charitable endeavors included a lifelong membership in various Rotary Clubs and The Exchange Club of Kiawah/Seabrook.

Jerry married Lucie Meyer in 1962 and moved to Lake Forest, Illinois to raise his family. They had two children, Christopher and Laura, who he loved dearly. He taught them both the value of hard work and the rewards of fun: together they played games, went boating and enjoyed music, and Jerry ensured his children attended summer camp. The family moved to Coral Gables, Florida in 1974 where Jerry became President of Dade Rigging Company. Most weekends found the family boating on Biscayne Bay or in the Keys accompanied by one or more of their faithful dogs, who loved being aboard as much as Jerry.

In 1985, Jerry moved to Kiawah Island, South Carolina where he started a new business, Laser Imaging Products. There he learned to love the game of golf. Jerry met and married Jane Thomas in 1996 and moved to Seabrook Island. He retired in 2006 and they moved to Callawassie Island where he continued to play golf, served on the Callawassie Marketing Committee, and joined the choir at the Parish Church of St. Helena. The couple enjoyed traveling the world together, including visits to Alaska, South America and Europe.

They moved to Carlyle Place at the end of 2022, where Jerry quickly joined the Choristers and again chaired the Marketing Committee.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Jane Cogswell; son Christopher Cogswell, of Miami, Florida; daughter Laura Thomsen (Jeff), of Charlotte, North Carolina; stepchildren Pam Alexander (Peter) of Atlanta, Georgia; and David “Joe” Thomas, Jr. (Betsy) of Franklin, Tennessee. Grandchildren include Nicholas Cogswell (Xenia), Kelly Thomsen, Casey Thomsen, Sam Alexander, Laura Jane “Janie” Alexander, David “Trey” Thomas III, Tyler Thomas, and Tucker Thomas; and great grandchild Zoe Cogswell.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 6 at 11AM at Christ Episcopal Church, 582 Walnut Street, Macon, Georgia.  The family will have a reception following the service at the Grande Ballroom at Carlyle Place (approximately 12:30pm).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dogs Inc. (formerly known as Southeastern Guide Dogs Inc.) https://dogsinc.org/ways-to-give/ or Christ Church Episcopal https://www.christchurchmacon.com/give/.

Hart’s Mortuary and Cremation Center, 765 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201 has charge of arrangements.

Christ Church
582 Walnut St., Macon GA 31201
Web: http://www.christchurchmacon.com/

Dog's Inc
4210 77th St E, Palmetto, FL 34221, Palmetto FL 34221
Tel: 1-941-729-5665
Web: https://dogsinc.org/