James Earle Cook's Obituary
James Earle Cook, 85, of Lewisville, Texas, died on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, and went to
meet his Savior. He was struggling with his health for the last few months and was ready to go
to his heavenly home and be reunited with his beloved wife. He passed away peacefully
surrounded by family.
James is survived by his son Philip Cook and his wife Kristen of Richardson; his son Chuck
Cook and his wife Michelle of Flower Mound; his daughter-in-law Lyn Young Cook of Portland,
Tennessee; his brother Larry Cook; his sisters Cynthia Patrick and Judy Roark; his ten
grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife Jerrie Cook and his eldest son Jim Cook of Portland,
Tennessee.
James was born in Richardson on October 9, 1938. He attended Richardson schools where he
graduated from Richardson High School. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps attending basic
training in San Diego, CA. He served five months of active duty and then eight years in the
reserves. He obtained a degree from Southern Methodist University in Electrical Engineering.
He met his wife Jerrie at Miller Road Baptist Church in Garland, and they were married March 1,
1963. They had three children.
From 1959-1975, James worked at UT Southwestern Medical School where he designed and
built equipment for carrying out experiments in a weightless environment for the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and published twelve technical articles for
publication in medical, technical, and NASA journals. The equipment flew on the Skylab
missions and, of note, he designed and constructed flight hardware for the NASA S015 Skylab
experiment — “The Effects of Weightless on Single Human Cells” — that flew 59 days from
7/28/1973 to 9/25/1973. The automated equipment included time-lapse cameras, miniature
phase-contrast microscopes, and life support systems for living cells and means for sustaining
cells and then injecting chemicals. It was one of the first successful automated biological
experiments in space.
From 1975-1999 he worked at School of Tomorrow (formerly Accelerated Christian Education)
where he was vice president of Technical Development and director of the Audio-Visual
department for 16 years where he conceived and designed “AcceleRAMA” (an automated
multimedia presentation theater using fifteen slide projectors, three video projectors, lighting and
video switching controls, and a five-position rotating stage). Additionally, he oversaw the
productions of numerous films and video presentations including “God Bless America,” “Five
Laws of Learning,” “Because You’re Right,” “The A.C.E. Story.” He conceived and wrote the
original “The School of Tomorrow” film script presenting a high-tech approach to education and
futuristic learning centers. A.C.E.’s name was subsequently changed to School of Tomorrow.
After “retirement,” from 2000 – 2021, James worked for Eagle Charter Schools, Pathway
Publishers, and Responsive Education Solutions where he developed: Chemistry, Physics, IPC,
and 8th grade video labs; scanner programs for Benchmark testing; programs to produce
weekly Progress Reports for self-instructional schools; and programs to handle FitnessGram
data for all Responsive Education schools. Additionally, he oversaw conversion of a full scope
and sequence computer-based school curriculum for use in charter schools.
Also, from 1975 – 2020, James performed consulting services throughout his career as a
private engineering consultant where he designed instruments for NASA Space Shuttle
experiments including: a low-g centrifuge, a temperature-stable rotor for high-speed centrifuge,
and a medical blood centrifuge used for several years on shuttle missions, among others. He
also produced the Interax Sign Language Course used by many schools, libraries, and by the
National Association of the Deaf; built a computerized program for the Pathways Development
Series which was a multimedia program used to aid students with learning deficiencies.
In addition to his career as an engineer, James was a devout Christian who devoted substantial
time to his church including serving on the Board of Directors of Garland Bible College where he
also taught General Science. He was a deacon for 23 years at Miller Baptist Church in Garland,
TX, and the “Childrens’ Church” leader for 19 years.
Later, he joined Ridge Pointe Fellowship in Dallas, TX, as an elder where he also served as an
adult Sunday school teacher and frequent speaker for the Sunday evening services.
What’s your fondest memory of James?
What’s a lesson you learned from James?
Share a story where James' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with James you’ll never forget.
How did James make you smile?
