Gerald Cockes

Gerald Edward Cockes November 12, 1942 – June 11, 2020 Gerald E. Cockes, born November 12, 1942, passed from this life on June 11, 2020.He was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Edward Milton Cockes and Ruth Bridges Cockes. Jerry grew up in Oklahoma City, and graduated from John Marshall High School. He was a member of the Camera Club where he began his life-long interest in cameras and photography. Jerry loved growing up in his home church, Brittain Baptist Church, and served as a youth minister and was involved in youth groups.He also loved his paper route and learning to play the accordion.He graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma, with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.During college, he was very active in the Baptist Student Union. Jerry began his career in 1969 as Regional Accounting Manager for the Dallas J.C. Penney Company, then Special Project Manager for Swiss Avenue Bank.Later, he became Accounts Receivable Manager for Cheerleader Supply where he worked for 14 years.In 1993, he joined the Lyons Group (Barney Corporation). In his last position, he was employed by Watson and Taylor Management for more than 15 years. While attending seminary, he met Brenda Jean Moore at Leonard’s Department Store in Fort Worth where they both worked part-time.They married on August 20, 1966.They raised three daughters and have devoted their married life to spending time with them and their families.They were active members of Casa View Baptist Church, where Jerry served as a deacon and taught a fifth grade Sunday School class for many years.His hobbies included working with photography and collecting model trains. Jerry was always known for his dry wit and sense of humor, even throughout his courageous 20-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents.He is survived by his wife Brenda, his sister Jean (Will) Lenhardt; his daughters, Shelley (Robert) White, Debra (Dan) Yarbrough, and Cathy (Curt) Shaw; grandchildren, Courtney, Jaret and Addison White; Layne, Leah and Luke Yarbrough; and Maitri and Cade Shaw. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:Dallas AreaParkinsonism Society (www.daps.us) or Parkinson’s Foundation (parkinson.org).