Gary Cockerham 1941-2018
Services for Gary Dwayne Cockerham, 77, of Canton were held Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, at First United Methodist Church in Canton. He passed away Dec. 28, 2018 in Grand Saline.
He was born Feb. 25, 1941, in Brawley, Calif. to Harold Matthew Cockerham and Myrtle Lee Shaw.
He grew up in Dallas from the age of 12. He attended South Oak Cliff High School and Kimball High School.
He married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Jeannette Morin, on May 12, 1962. He joined the Army where he served in Vietnam and three tours in Germany.
After 22 years, Gary retired as a Master Sergeant and Combat Engineer. He attended East Texas State University and received a bachelor’s degree in agriculture.
He went to work for the Department of Agriculture as a loan officer and supervisor for rural development for 12 years.
He was a master craftsman who enjoyed making furniture, painting, hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed growing his own grapes, making wine and beer.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Canton and a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge #141.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley Jeannette Cockerham; daughter, Jeannette Kula; son, Daniel and Robin Cockerham; son, Garry and Linda Cockerham; grandchildren, Brandy and David Fisher, Lauren and Bill Bolyn, Jason Cockerham, Collin Cockerham, Danielle Kula, and Matthew Kula; great-grandchildren, Aubrey Cockerham, Preston Westerberg, Gatlyn Bolyn, Hudsyn Bolyn, and David Fisher Jr.; and brother, Bob and Irelene Cockerham. He is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Myrtle Cockerham.
Pallbearers were Dan Cockerham, Jason Cockerham, Garry Cockerham, Collin Cockerham, Tom Kula, Randy Starks and Matthew Kula.
Interment was at Haven of Memories in Canton, TX.
