January 31, 2024 – Washington County, WI – Jerry Pok, 91, of Big Cedar Lake, died in the early morning hours of Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at The Gables of Germantown.
He was born in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, the son of Jerry F. and Lydia (nee Klatt) Pok. After graduating from Washington High School, Jerry then spent four years in the US Navy on the USS Orion Submarine tender based in Norfolk, Virginia.
After his years of service, Jerry attended UW-Madison and earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
Jerry was employed by West Bend Outboard Company/Chrysler in Hartford as a Senior Project Engineer right out of college. Then worked at Briggs and Stratton as chief engineer for many years. Ended his career with Tecumseh as the Director of Engineering.
He met Marge (nee Smith) while studying at UW-Madison and the two married in 1957 in La Crosse. Jerry has three children, Dean (Carol), Sue (Dan) Stein, and Kevin (Carrie).
He also was blessed with three grandchildren, Grace, Jim, and Clair Pok. Jerry loved messing around with boats, saying: “There is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” (quote from Kenneth Graame, Wind in the Willows)
He was an avid sailor, an homage to his time in the Navy, and enjoyed competing in sailing as well. His first competition as a skipper was in an M-16 sailboat on Big Cedar Lake and ILYA regattas.
He then moved to a larger sailboat, sailing out of Manitowoc to cruise around the Great Lakes. His last upgrade was to a powerboat, lovingly named ‘Pokabout’, to cruise the open waters.
Winter meant ice boating on Big Cedar Lake, sailing Hustler on those precious days with “good ice.”
He also enjoyed skiing, both downhill and cross country, which helped him get through the winter months before he could get out on the lake again. Jerry was a member of Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church and Cedar Lake Yacht Club, serving 10 years on its Board of Directors and racing in C-, M-16, and E- fleets.
He was also a member of the Cedar Lake Conservation Foundation, and Washington County Humane Society. He was a charter member and past commodore of the Manitowoc Maritime Yacht Club.
Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Marge; their children; grandchildren; and members of the Smith family, including Jackie, Dave (Jane), Linda, and Shirley, and their children. He has a Saxton nephew, Bill, who also survives him. He is predeceased by Bob, Dan, Pat, Grace, and Mary Smith, and his sister Nancy (nee Pok) Saxton, as well as her husband John, and her son Jerry.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Cedar Lake Conservation Foundation (PO Box 347, West Bend), or the Washington County Humane Society.
Official details for Jerry’s memorial service are pending at this time. Please check back to myrhum-patten.com/obituary/Jerry-Pok.
Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Jerry’s arrangements.
