Jerome "Jerry" Cogdell

Jerome “Jerry” Russell Cogdell of Spartanburg, SC died peacefully at his home Thursday, April 15, 2021. He was the husband of Cecilia “Celia” Haggerty Cogdell, to whom he was married for 51 years. Jerry was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church.

Born June 8, 1933 in Greenville, TN, Jerry was the son of the late Rev. Joseph P. Cogdell and Sara Camlin Cogdell. Jerry was six when the family moved to Upstate New York where his father, a Presbyterian minister, became pastor of United Presbyterian Church, East Greenwich, NY.

Jerry Cogdell was devoted to Wofford College which he served for 33 years. The College Board of Trustees awarded him the title of Assistant Dean of the College, Emeritus. Dean Cogdell was responsible for Wofford’s extremely popular Interim term which continues in largely the same format developed by Dean Cogdell.

In the community the Cogdells supported music and the arts, educational institutions and other charitable organizations.

Jerry was an avid reader and a highly sought after proofreader and editor. His lifetime interest in music led him to sing in First Presbyterian’s Chancel Choir, Madrigal Singers, and the Spartanburg Festival Chorus.

A graduate of local primary schools in New York including Washington Salem Academy, Dean Cogdell earned a bachelor’s degree at Muskingum University in New Concord, OH and a master’s degree from Yale University. He completed the Summer Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University.

In addition to his wife, Dean Cogdell is survived by his sister, Gayle Cogdell Kimlin of New York and extended family in Tennessee and New York. He was predeceased by a sister, Jean Fox Cogdell of New York.

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held on Sunday, May 16, 2021 at 2:00 PM at the Columbarium of First Presbyterian Church, conducted by The Rev. Dr. Lewis Galloway and The Rev. Joanne R. Hull. Masks are required and social distancing guidelines will be observed during the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Wofford College, Academic Scholarship Fund, 429 North Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29303 or First Presbyterian Church, Music Department Fund, 393 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302.

Floyd’s North Church Street Chapel