Jerry Gene Cockrell's vision was restored on September 26, 2024, when he entered heaven's gates. He left this earth from his home of 30 years in Sanger, Texas in the embrace of his best friend and devoted wife of 55 years, Jana Gray Cockrell. Jerry and Jana met in Denton where they both grew up. Jerry was born February 28, 1948, one of 8 children of Dan, a long-haul trucker, and Mildred, a seamstress and tirelessly steadfast mother. Jerry was born with a condition that left him susceptible to detached retinas as a child. But it didn't' stop him from playing baseball and spending countless hours outside with his brothers and sisters. Stories of the Cockrell kids on North Locust are the stuff of legend. It was in these years that Jerry began his hobby of making impressions and lifelong friends.

Jerry lost the last of his vision at age 13.  But it didn't stop him from graduating high school a couple of hundred miles away from home at the Texas School for the Blind in Austin where he met several more lifelong friends. After graduation, Jerry continued his education back in good 'ol Denton at North Texas State University. Jerry passed all his classes with the help of some readers, including some pretty co-eds like Phyllis George. But none of them held a candle to the young woman he met his freshman year. There is no denying the connection between Jerry and Jana was instant and eternal.

So Jerry became a husband in 1969. Then in 1970 he became a dad to his daughter Kristi. He loved and spoiled her from her first breath. Being and having a blind husband and dad wasn't easy, but it didn't stop them. Jerry worked while Jana stayed with Kristi. Because the other way around could get a little messy. Jerry began working for the Fort Worth Lighthouse for the Blind, and the three of them eventually moved to Euless.

It was in Euless that Jerry and Jana welcomed their son, Kendall, into the family. Kendall came along soon after Jerry had transitioned from his marketing career to one that would provide more friends than anyone could ever imagine. He began to operate industrial cafeterias. While it wasn't the most notable or lucrative job in the world, it was his calling. If you ever got to see Jerry behind the register you know how at home he felt there. It was the perfect mix of routine and regulars to allow him to thrive. He once said in an article, "What makes it so enjoyable is the customers." Many of those customers have also become lifelong friends.

It was around then that Jerry picked up a bat again and play beep ball. And Jana became the most fiercely supportive beep ball fan. They travelled the nation together playing for the Cowtown Roadrunners. The Roadrunners won the Beep Ball World Series multiple times and even got to play an exhibition on the White House lawn in Washington D.C. While Jerry's play on the field and mischief off the field were legendary, it was again the lifelong friends that were most important to Jerry.

Then in 1980, he was chosen to operate the cafeteria at the brand new Peterbilt plant right back where it all began, Denton. Peterbilt was not a job for Jerry. It was his place. As the plant grew, so did Jerry's business. He ran the business with pride and a personal touch. It was hard work and long hours, but he didn't mind. If he didn't have a line of those customers or a counter to clean, he would chat with everyone from the new person on the line to the CEO. And he saw them all the same.

Jerry and Jana moved back to Denton in 1988 and remained until Kristi and Kendall finished high school. During their time in Denton, Jerry bought some land in Sanger and eventually tried his hand in the ostrich ranching game. While the industry didn't boom, that land and business brought more lifelong friends. He also served the Denton County community in quiet, often anonymous ways. Whether it was helping Walt Garrison raise funds for injured cowboys or helping Popo Gonzalez serve immigrant families, or just giving a neighbor a chance, Jerry appreciated hard working individuals and was always there to help one out when they were down on their luck.

In 1994, Jerry and Jana moved to their land in Sanger and have lived there since. It is here that he embraced the role of Papa to his four beloved grandchildren, Abby, Levacy, Ty, and Caroline.  He and Jana loved spending time with the four of them, especially down in Surfside where other beach goers were always curious about the man coming over the dunes and straight to our chairs with only the assistance of a cane and some of the most keen ears you can imagine.

Jerry finally retired…sort of in 2007. While he handed the business down to Kristi, he still went in once a week to help out. We still aren't sure which of the two of them it helped more, but we know his presence will be dearly missed.  Jana and the family would like to thank Mark Pigott and the entire Peterbilt and PACCAR family for all they meant to Jerry and his immediate and extend family over the decades.

The only place he loved more than Peterbilt was home. He loved the home he and Jana built together, so it is only fitting that he was able to be there with Jana for his last days. Whether it was a party so big the fire department showed up or a night so still you could hear the angels, he loved being at his home. Not knowing it was his last one, he and Kendall sat out and watched the sun as it set beyond the horizon. And if you understand that Jerry actually did see and watch in his way, then you truly knew him.

Just a few years ago, Jerry learned of a son he never knew of from before he met Jana. And of course, like with everyone, they welcomed Bill Baker and his family into their lives with open arms, even taking a trip to Colorado to meet him and his family. Jerry was glad they met and stayed in communication with him.

Jerry waits in heaven for his cherished Jana, daughter Kristi Teeter and her husband Justin, son Kendall, son, Bill Baker, grandchildren Abby Nicholson and her husband Josh, Levacy Cockrell, Ty Teeter, Caroline Cockrell, great-grandchild, Freya Nicholson, sisters Mildred and husband Bennett Fain and Teresa Young, brothers Dannie and wife Rhonda Cockrell and Billy and wife Jimmye Lou. Jerry has been reunited with his mother Mildred along with his father Dan, brothers Donald, Michael, and George, and his favorite aunt, Ruby Kerner.

Jerry's life can't be captured in an obituary or even a book. His life was volumes. And many of you have your own paragraphs and chapters and books in his story. The family will be sharing stories and hugs and tears, and we invite you to join us.

There will be a visitation at Deberry's Funeral Home in Denton on Wednesday, October 2, 4-6 pm. The memorial celebration will be on Thursday, October 3, at 4 pm at Cross Timbers Church in Argyle. All who attend are welcome to join us immediately after at Jerry and Jana's place for more true stories and tall tales of the life of the legend, Jerry Cockrell. If you would like to honor him with a gift to a cause he cared about, please donate to All Blind Children of Texas.