Jack "Jay" Cockerham, Jr

Jay (Jack) H. Cockerham, Jr., 52, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 17, 2019. A Memorial Service will be 11:00 am, Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at Grace Gardens Funeral Home, with his brother Jeff Cockerham and brother-in-law Ken Hering officiating. A visitation with the family will be 5:30-7:30pm on Tuesday evening, January 22, 2019. Private inurnment with family will follow.

Jay was born the first child of Jack Howard, Sr. and Joyce Greer Cockerham in Beaumont, TX in 1966. At an early age, he was fascinated with sharks, movies, music, technology, and business. In high school, he began working at Baskin Robbins and quickly moved up the ladder of leadership. Eventually, he would go into business with his parents as franchise owners of Baskin Robbins stores at Lake Air and Baylor in Waco, TX, and in Killeen, TX. Through Baskin Robbins and with a voice like a radio disc-jockey, Jay transformed the lives of family and friends to whom he taught his incredible customer relationship skills and passion for people.

After decades with Baskin Robbins, he franchised with Weinerschnitzel for a few years, using his family to help run that business, as well. Most recently, he served as Human Resource Manager for CTIW, Central Texas Iron Works, where he set records for safety and production in his field, and continued to break those records and set new ones.

Jay was a consummate family man, who cared deeply for his wife Beth and four children Trey, Brittany, Tyler, and Courtney; he was the best big brother to his sister Julie and brother Jeff; and a first born son in whom his father and mother were very proud. His in-laws and cousins were like siblings to him and he involved any family member who was interested in the family businesses. He was a loyal friend to many and a devoted fan of his teams; Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, BU Bears and his perennial fantasy team the “Big Dawgs.“ Many say he was the Cowboys #1 fan. Though his birth name was Jack, he was known more dearly by several alternatives: Dad, Jay, Uncle Jay, “The Chief”, and “The Big Dawg”.

Jay is survived by his wife of 29 years, Beth; children Trey, Brittany, Tyler, and Courtney; his mother, Joyce; his sister Julie Taft and brother-in-law Philip, and their children Ella and Alex; his brother Jeff and sister-in-law Laura, and their children Mallory, Will, Charlie, and Mary; His mother-in-law, Nancy Hering; his brother-in-law Rob; His brother-in-law Ken, and his wife Cathy and their children; Cooper, Carson, Camdyn, and Kayden; His many cousins who are like siblings; and countless friends and co-workers who consider him a brother.

Visitation

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM ,Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel
8220 Woodway Drive Waco, Texas 76712

Memorial Service

11:00 AM ,Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel
8220 Woodway Drive Waco, Texas 76712

Interment

12:30 PM ,Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Waco Memorial Park
6623 S. IH 35 Robinson, tx 76706
Notes: The family will have a private inurnment following the memorial service.