Jerry Wayne Cogdell, 73, passed away Monday, July 3, 2017, at North Mississippi Medical Center from complications of multiple myeloma. He was born November 3, 1942, in Delta City, MS, to Vaughn Cogdell and Earlene Stigall and was reared by his aunt Virginia Catherine Cogdell. A native of Rolling Fork, Jerry graduated from Rolling Fork High School in 1960, attended Hinds Junior College, and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi. He received his Masters of Music from the University of Mississippi and studied at the Oberlin Teachers Performing Institute in Oberlin, Ohio, and had 30 hours past his Masters.
He was a member of the Mississippi Lions Club All State Band and played the French horn professionally for many years. He served in the Army National Guard and was a member of the 41stArmy Band. He played with the Mississippi Symphony and the Tupelo Symphony, and managed the Tupelo Symphony for several years.
His career in music education included positions at Canton High School, Canton Academy, Newton High School, Itawamba Community College, and Bevill State Community College. At Itawamba Community College, Mr. Cogdell served in many capacities. He taught music theory and related courses, served as the Fine Arts Division Chair for 18 years, and was the director of Kaleidoscope for 17 years. Since his retirement from the teaching profession, he had served as choir director for the past 13 years at Aberdeen First United Methodist Church.
He was an avid runner who had run countless 10Ks and 25 marathons. He was a devoted life-long learner who was always curious about everything and full of knowledge about many things. He touched many lives throughout his career.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, July 7, at Aberdeen First United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 6, at McNeece-Morris Funeral Home in Fulton. McNeece-Morris Funeral Home of Fulton is entrusted with arrangements.
Survivors include his wife of almost 37 years, Robyn Dillard Cogdell; his two daughters, Virginia Cogdell Jones (Brian) of Amory and Lauren Cogdell Storey (Ryan) of Columbia, TN; four grandchildren, Reed Hale and Rylee Hale, both of Amory, and Jude Storey and Lucy Storey, both of Columbia, TN; Reed and Rylee’s dad, Stephen Hale; a cousin, Dr. Paul Sandifer (Mary) of Columbia, SC; a sister-in-law, Hazel Ann Sandifer of Rolling Fork, MS; a brother-in-law, King Ross of Marietta, GA; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Bill and Bobby; and his sister, Faye.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Aberdeen First United Methodist Church.
