Donald E. Cockerill, 91, of Washington Court House, Ohio passed away July 8, 2022, at 8:59 a.m.
Don was born March 28, 1931, in Washington Court House, Ohio Marion Jacob and Mary Jo Bireley Cockerill. He was a 1949 graduate of Washington High School and later attended Wilmington College. Don served three years in the U.S. Coast Guard, serving two years on a rescue ship at Pearl Harbor. Their rescue missions ranged to Alaska, Midway, and Japan, to the coast of Korea.
Don spent 32 years working for Armco, retiring in 1988, as plant coordinator. He also was an owner, breeder and trainer of standard bred racehorses for over 30 years. One of his first horses became National Season Leader in 1978. He was a member of the United States Trotting Association and Paul H. Hughey Post #25 of the American Legion for 62 years.
Don is survived by his wife, the former Myrna C. Redden, whom he married June 26, 1955, and together they had three children: a daughter, Rhonda (Jeff) Sagar of Washington Court House; sons, Kyle (Cindy) Cockerill of Washington Court House, Ohio and Dennis (Jen) Cockerill of Hilliard, Ohio; eight grandchildren, Brooke Lewis, Brady (Kevin) Yenger, Jordan Sagar, Taylor Cockerill, Cameron Cockerill, Dylan Cockerill, Madison Cockerill and Zoey Cockerill; three great grandchildren, Mallory Lewis, Ethan Knapp and Emerson Crosby and three sisters, Marjorie Hutson and Shirley Cupp Johnson, both of Washington Court House and Jo Ann (Jodi) Kirkpatrick of New Holland. Also surviving are several special nieces and nephews.
In keeping with Don’s wishes, cremation has taken place.
A graveside service, with complete military honors, will be held Friday, July 15, 2022, at 11 a.m. in the Washington Cemetery with Danny Dodds, minister at the Greenfield Church of Christ, officiating, Burial will be under the direction of the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Greenfield Church of Christ, 955 Jefferson Street, Greenfield, Ohio 45123 or ProMedica Hospice, 208 North Fayette Street, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160.
www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com
Sending Love and Prayers to Don’s Family. Great memories. He will be missed.
Bob and Wileen Stackhouse and family