Dr. Cockfield was born in Charleston, South Carolina, the son of the late Pierrine LePrince Cockfield and Dr. Jamie Hartwell Cockfield, Sr. He was educated in the public schools of Lake City, South Carolina, received a BA and MA from the University of South Carolina, and his PhD in Russian History from the University of Virginia in 1972. He studied the Russian language at Russian institutes at Indiana University, the University of Virginia, Windham College in Vermont and at the Herzen Institute in Leningrad (St. Petersburg). He began his teaching career at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, in 1972 and taught courses on the history of Russia, Soviet Foreign Policy, 19th century General European History and 19th century Russian literature until his retirement 45 years later, in 2017. A gifted teacher, story-teller, and humorist, Dr. Cockfield was a beloved professor and frequent guest speaker to local organizations. He occupied the Willis Borders Glover Chair of History for over 20 years and served on the Faculty Senate, the College Faculty Executive Committee, the University House of Delegates and Faculty Representative to the Board of Trustees. In addition to numerous scholarly and popular articles in journals and encyclopedias, Dr. Cockfield published six critically acclaimed books, one of which, A Giant from Georgia: The Life of U.S. Senator Walter F. George, 1887-1957, earned him the 2019 Award for Excellence in Documenting Georgia’s History from the Georgia Historical Records Advisory Council. Jamie Cockfield was also instrumental in obtaining a posthumous commission from the U.S. Air Force for Eugene Bullard, America’s first black military aviator during World War I and received a personal, hand-written note of thanks from U.S. Secretary of State, Colin Powell, for his efforts on Bullard’s behalf.
Jamie was actively engaged in the Macon community where he served on the boards of Tattnall Square Academy, the Macon Concert Association, and the Macon Symphony, in which he also played the violin (proudly in the next to last chair). His fascination with politics began as an undergraduate, when he served as Page to U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond in 1966. He subsequently chaired the Macon Council on World Affairs, the Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections, and the Bibb County Republican Party. He also served on the Georgia State Republican Party’s Central Committee. He was a member of the Tattnall Square Baptist Church and Macon Palaver Club.
A gourmet cook, Jamie loved to entertain. He earned Life Master’s status from the American Contract Bridge League, taught Bible study classes for his church, spoke multiple languages, and traveled the world. He traveled to Russia 35 times, often with students or tour groups in tow, before, during, and after the fall of the USSR leading some to speculate that he was either a Communist spy or agent of the CIA!
Jamie is survived and will be sorely missed by his nieces, Dr. Jeanne Hill (Macky) of Mt. Pleasant, SC and Michelle Dysthe (Scott) of El Cajon, CA, and nephew, Charles “Chuck” Griffin (Anne) of Mt. Pleasant, SC, great nephews and nieces, Max, Charles, and Dr. Ann Hill, Elijah and Leilani Dysthe, and Emily Griffin as well as numerous friends, former students and colleagues both in the U.S. and abroad.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2023 from 12:00 Noon until 2:00pm with a brief service beginning at 1:00pm at Snow's Memorial Chapel, Bass Road. Rev. Russ Criswell will officiate. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Mercer Fund in honor of Jamie Cockfield at www.mercer.edu or the Office of University Advancement, 1501 Mercer University Drive, Macon, Georgia 31207, (478) 301-2715.
Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express tributes.
Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Bass Road, has charge of arrangements.
