Leland V Cockrill
November 26, 1931 ~ October 22, 2013
Leland Virgle Cockrill of Hughes Springs TX passed away on October 22 2013 at the age of 81. He was preceded in death by his mother, Lorene Cockrill; his father, TJ Cockrill; sister, Betty Blair; and son, Lee Cockrill. He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Wanda Cockrill; his daughter and son in law LuAnn and Bobby Moore; and his grandchildren, Kristen Zdonczyk and her husband James, Garrett Cockrill, Tyler Moore, and Brittany Steen and her husband Colt. Leland graduated from Bonham high school in 1949. He began college at East Texas State Teachers College in 1949 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1953. He then married the love of his life, Wanda Wallace, on April 3, 1953. Leland received his Masters of Science degree in 1955. After completing four years of ROTC while in college, he was stationed at James Connelly Air Force Base in Waco, Texas. He was honorably discharged in 1957, achieving the rank of first lieutenant. Leland and Wanda welcomed their son Lee in 1958 and their daughter LuAnn in 1960. Leland began working for the Hughes Springs independent school district in 1963 where he worked as a teacher and principal and retired as the Superintendent of Schools in 1995. He retired to become a full time Grandpa and also enjoyed fishing, hunting, and camping. Visitation will be held at Reeder Davis funeral home in Hughes Springs on Friday from 6-8 pm. The funeral service will be held Saturday at 10 am at the First Baptist Church in Hughes Springs, TX. A memorial donation can be made to the Hughes Springs public library, PO box 237, Hughes Springs TX 75656.
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We were so sad to hear about Leland's passing…Will be praying for the family during this time of mourning. May God bless you all.
My prayers and thoughts are with each one. Mr. Cockrill will be missed by many.
My thoughts & prayers are with you all! God Bless
I dont think there are adequate words to describe the intertwining of our families lives that began for me when Mr. Cockrill inspired my first aquarium as my junior high science teacher and came to our home to help me set it up. During this time Miss Wanda was teaching with Dad, and her tenure would last through teaching my older son, Nathan, in first grade!We cried with you over the untimely loss of Lee, and we cry now with you over the loss of this man, a true example to and pillar of his community. More pages of our lives are being ripped out and moved to the book of memories in our minds and hearts. Thank you, Mr. Cockrill, for a life well-lived and given to so many like me who looked up to you for guidance that you gave freely.
What a wonderful man Mr Cockrill was. I will miss his smiling face and nick picking,(he was a pro at that)… He will be greatly missed… We will keep the family in our prayers.Jackie @ Dr Tompkins
My thoughts and prayers are with everyone today. Mr. Leland is one of those people that I think of when I think of the growth of our school system. He was such a fun person to be around, always had me laughing. His words of encouragement and support helped me so much when I was dealing with the loss of my Mom. He had been down that grief road and knew where I was and what I was going through. I will miss our impromptu meetings in the Brookshire's parking lot that would go on forever. Sending you all our love.
WHAT A SHOCK AND THE LOSS OF A GREAT AND LOYAL FRIEND!!! I WILL MISS YOU 'OLD BUDDY'.SID
Ms. Wanda our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family at this time. Allow God's Grace and Love to help you through the days ahead. Hughes Springs has lost a great man. His legacy will be remembered by all who knew him. Everyone who walked the halls of the schools at Hughes Springs owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Cockrill. A great man, a humble man, an example to all. May the Grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with you always
he will be missed mrs.wanda,love ya
Mr. Cockrill was a friend and mentor too so many students that went through Hughes Springs School doors. I respected him greatly, appreciated all his help over the years. Our prayers go out to all his family.
Throughout the day Preston and I have been remembering what fun and fellowship we've had with Leland & Wanda during their visits to Ardmore, Cub Scout camps, and Preston's visits to Texas. Great man! So glad this is just good-bye for a little while. Be seeing ya'!
What a great community supporter who has made a vast difference in the lives of so many throughout his life. You will be missed in our community! Wanda our prayers will be with you and the family in the coming days.
So sorry to hear of the passing of a great man..Know it is hard but know he is rejoicing with family in a GREAT place now..We all will see him again one day soon..May your hearts be comforted in the days to come by all the precious memories…the town has lost a great part of it.
What a wonderful man and teacher. Such an influence in my children's lives.
Wanda, we are mourning with you this day and yet rejoicing over Leland being home with the Lord and loved ones who have preceeded him. Leland was one of those people who ALWAYS gave me a hug and Mike a hearty handshake. Our loss is Heaven's gain, and Leland is hugging and hand-shaking like crazy right now. I visualize him standing, kneeling, bowing before his Savior in pure joy, awe and gratitude.
mrs cockrill I am so sorry to hear about mr .cockrill. I thought a lot of him. if you need any thing let me know.
Our heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Wanda, Luann and all the family. Mr. Cockrill will truly be missed by everyone who every knew him. Prayers for comfort for all of you during this oh so difficult time.
He will be very missed in the drive thru window at the bank. He was one of our favorite customers. Love, Cindy
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Mrs. Wanda. Please let us know if we can do anything.
Dave and I thought so much of Leland. He was a great man and a wonderful educator. Our prayers are with you.
Mr. Cockrill was an amazing man. Loved and admired by so many. Prayers for his family and friends. Hughes Springs will not be the same without ya!
Oh what great memories we share with this man. So many stories, family gatherings, lots of food, campfires at the deer camp, just way too many to mention. I know I will miss him so very much and feel blessed to have been a part of his family and life. I love you all!
I am so truly sorry for your loss. Words cannot describe how much I love you and your family. My prayers are with you all. Love you.
So Sorry for your loss. Praying for the family.
A good man has gone on too soon for goodbyes. He will be greatly missed by Gene and me as well a by hundreds of others. Wanda and the family will be blessed by the prayers that are beyond counting. God's child Leland is at rest, in Jesus' name, I pray.Amen
I can't remember not knowing Leland. He was my Dad's hunting buddy – Wormy to Joe Dan and Dad. They would go goose hunting in Winnie and come home with 30 gallon trash cans full of geese. They got kicked out of a motel for cleaning geese in the bathtub once. Mom, Pat, and Wanda would be slaving over pots of boiling paraffin for hours plucking all those geese. There were so many family times of laughter and fun with Lucille, Aunt Bess, Aunt Bertha, Lloyd, Lewis and Mary Beth. Dancing, eating, and just enjoying being together. I thought Leland was so handsome, and he was nice to a young girl. He was a great man and we were all blessed for having him in our lives. God bless you as you grieve and give you peace. Love,Dinah
Wanda and Luanne, my prayers are with you. I loved Leland, but then I dont anyone who didnt. He was always friendly to everyone and took his time to always stop and visit. I have wonderful memories of him. My heart is sad but yet it rejoices because his journey may have ended here but he is "home" and we will meet again. May GOD HOLD YOU IN HIS LOVING ARMS IN DAYS AHEAD! love you!
Mr. Cockrill was a great man and educator. Our school will always be grateful to he and Mrs. Wanda.
In life we hope and pray that we can find people that have a impact on our lives. Mr. Cockrill can rest in peace knowing that not only did he have an impact on peoples lives, he had an impact on the whole community. May you rest in peace.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time.
Mr. Cockrill will be so missed by so many as he was a genuinely good man, friend to many, and a great educator to all children. My thoughts & prayers are with his family.
Wanda and Lou Ann and family,Sorry for your loss. May God hold all of you in His arms at this time.
What a wonderful man and family. Leland was loved by so many. Our prays are with you all, and we are thinking for you every minute.With love and affection,Molly Loving and Family
We are so sorry for your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God give you Peace and Comfort during this time. Love, Gary & Tammy Cunningham
Miss Wanda I will be praying for you and your family,Gaylon and Mr Cockrill will have so many laughs in heaven. I love your family and all you both have done for our kids,Thank you for sharing him for so many years.God Bless You Sharon Fortune
You will always be a part of me. I love you and miss you with all of my heart.
Wanda, My heart and prayers are with you precious lady…. Love you and ask God to wrap his loving arms around you during this time. You are so special to so many! I pray The Holy Spirit will give you peace… Love, Sue Ballard
Dear Wanda and family, we send our sympathy at the loss of Leland. He was always a pleasure to talk to and was such a positive presence in Hughes Springs. He will be missed.In sympathy, Carol and Bruce Hodges
Dear Wanda and family, we send our sympathy at the loss of Leland. He was always a pleasure to talk to and was such a positive presence in Hughes Springs. He will be missed.In sympathy, Carol and Bruce Hodges
Dear Wanda, Please add our prayers and condolences in expression of sympathy in physical loss here. We know he is in good hands. -love,Mike & Dianne
God bless you all during this time. Our hope is in our Savior and in Him alone!Love you all.
Mr. Cockrill was a great man. My heart go out to the family. I went to school with LuAnn. Sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in prays.
Mr Cockrill was my principal in Junior High.I went to school with Lee and Lou Ann.I remember him as a kind man.He was a towering figure walking down the hall in school.I respected him.Sad that he is gone.I will always have good memories of him.RIP,,Mr.Cockrill…
Miss WandaI hate the fact we are contacting you after all this time to tell you how very sorry we are for your loss. Mr. Cockrill (I cannot bring myself to call him Leland!) was such a wonderful man, mentor and friend to all of us over the years. Our hearts are broken for you, LuAnn and your familyI know you have Angels in Heaven waiting for him and yall will be together again someday, until thenmay God bless you with as much peace and comfort as humanly possible."Our heart is the voice of the soul. Listen carefully and in its beating you will hear the fluttering of angel wings." Author UnknownWith love and our deepest and sincere sympathy…The family of Murray & Mayon GibsonMurralyn, Mark & Gina
Ms. Wanda, LuAnn and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mrs. Wanda & LuAnn,Sorry for your loss, he was truly a great man & helped a lot of us to move in the right direction.Regards,Mike
Leland was a friend, mentor, and fishing buddy for over 60 years. My last memory is his big smile and wave as we departed Lake Texhoma. He is greatly missed by Miss Annie and myself.