Randy Lee Cockrum

Colonel Randy Lee Cockrum, age 69, was born in Monahans, Texas, on May 30, 1944, and died in New Braunfels, Texas, on July 26, 2013, after a short but courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He graduated from Bangor High School in Bangor, Maine, and received a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Randy was a U.S. Army aviator for 30 years, which included service in Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, and multiple domestic locations. In October 1994, he retired from his position as the Director of Aviation for the Nebraska Army National Guard.

Randy was preceded in death by his parents, James A. and Rosella E. Cockrum; sister, Karen Anita Cockrum; and nephew, Christopher Allen Cockrum. Surviving him are his wife, Gloria Abe-Cockrum; daughters, Christine Karen Cockrum and Patricia Marie Duryea (Travis); sister, Kathleen Anne Atkinson (Lindell, Sr.); brother, James Paul Cockrum; two grandchildren, Kendyl Liegh and Presston Richard Duryea; six nieces and nephews; and his dog sons, Buddy Bob and Herbie. Randy and Gloria lived in Lincoln, Nebraska for 16 years; in Omaha, Nebraska for 1 year; in Tulsa, Oklahoma for 1.5 years; in Russellville, Arkansas for 11 years; and in New Braunfels, Texas for 2.5 years.

A time of visitation and remembrance will be held at 5:00 PM Tuesday, August 6, 2013 at the Zoeller Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will be held in Conway, Arkansas, on Sunday, August 4, at 3:00 p.m. in the Roller McNutt Funeral Home at 801 8th Avenue. Internment at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas, will be scheduled in the fall.