Dannie Garrett Cockrell of Sanger, Texas, passed peacefully in his home surrounded by his family and friends on March 2, 2026. He will be remembered as a faithful son, husband, father, Papa, brother, soldier, neighbor and friend .Born on November 30, 1949 to Dan and Mildred Cockrell, Dannie was the fifth of eight children who grew up in a small house on North Locust in Denton, Texas. They usually spent as much time as possible outside of that house. Whether it was fishing in the creek, playing baseball, or running the neighborhood with his siblings, cousins, and friends, Dannie loved growing up in Denton and remained an active member of his Sanger and Denton County community throughout his life. In 1968, Dannie joined the Army and served until 1970 when he returned home to help with his younger siblings and mother. Three years later, he was blessed with his daughter, Jennifer. In 1982, Dannie married the love of his life, Rhonda Kay Corley. They welcomed their son Kenneth Daniel (Kasey) into the world two years later. Dannie loved being a Papa to his grandsons Shane, Jett, and Tiller, more than any job he ever had. And he had a few. From running a construction clean-up company to managing a lumber yard, from helping his brother Jerry run the cafeteria at Peterbilt, to serving the people of Sanger, Dannie always looked for joy in his work. And he usually found it. He always had a way of making things work. Even broken things. He could fix just about anything even with almost nothing to work with. Dannie leaves behind a legacy of love through his wife, Rhonda, daughter Jennifer Cockrell, son Kasey Cockrell (Brandi), his three grandsons Shane, Jett and Tiller, sisters Teresa Cockrell and Mildred Ann Fain (Bennett), brother Billy Cockrell (Jimmy Lou), sister Kim Swaim (Robert), brother in law Bud Corley as well as so so many nieces and nephews, and cousins. Dannie has now been reunited with his father, Dan, mother, Mildred, and brothers, Donald, George, Jerry, and Michael. We are grateful.There will be a visitation for Dannie on Saturday, March 7, at 1pm followed by a service of remembrance at 2pm at Deberry’s Funeral Home, Denton Texas. Burial will be at DFW National Cemetery at a later date.