Dr. Jerry D. Cockerell, 78, passed away August 8, 2024, in Vero Beach, Fla. He was married to Gail Swafford Cockerell. They shared 20 adventurous years together.
Jerry was born in Bartlesville, Okla., to George Lemmons and Claudina Cook. The family moved to Ardmore, Okla. He was later adopted by Dr. A.H. Cockerell.
Jerry attended school in Ardmore, graduating from St. John's Military Academy in Delafield, Wis. He was a graduate of East Central University and Medical School in Kansas City, Mo. He spent his internship and residency at Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital in Pontiac, Mich. Then went into private practice at Fuggle and Cockerell, PC., also in Pontiac, as an Orthopedic Surgeon until his retirement in 1990.
After retirement Jerry moved to Kingston, Okla., and married his long-time partner, Barbara Rodebaugh. She preceded him January 12, 2004. He was also preceded in death by his parents and Grandmother Jo Ella Cook.
Jerry is survived by his devoted wife Gail Cockerell and his Golden Retriever Lacey of the home; his daughter Amy Cockerell-Harris (Anthony) and their children Tyler, Ashlen, and Chase of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; stepson Byron Bull (Amber) and their children Reese, Jackson, Jakelyn and Jayla of Shawnee; brother and sister-in-law Lee and Priscilla Cockerell of Orlando, Fla.; nephew Daniel Cockerell (Valerie) of Sydney, Australia and their children Jullian Cockerell (Vaness Baille), Margot Drevno (Rob) and Tristan Cockerell; mother-in-law Sue Garner of Shawnee; and sister-in-law Debbie Lee (Oran) of Yukon, Okla., and their family Rachel (Phillip) Larsen and their children Scarlett and Emery, and Jennifer Lee.
Jerry's passion for woodworking created many beautiful and unique gifts for virtually anyone he encountered. He was equally passionate about traveling in his RVs for months at a time exploring the United States. Jerry also loved his Golden Retrievers. He was preceded by O. D., Sadie, and Heidi.
He was loved and will be greatly missed.