Jerry Lee Cockcroft, 72, of Paris, passed away at 11:22 p.m. Saturday, March 11, 2017, at Union Hospital, Terre Haute, Ind. He was a retired high school administrator.
Services celebrating his life are 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 15, at Templeton Funeral Home, with Bro. Kurt Speece officiating. Burial follows in New Providence Cemetery, Elbridge Township. Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 14, at the funeral home.
Mr. Cockcroft was born Oct. 30, 1944, at Terre Haute, Ind., the son of the late Earl and Gladys Cunningham Cockcroft. He married Pamela J. Tuttle June 12, 1971, at Hutsonville, and she preceded him in death May 5, 2001.
Survivors include three children, Amy K. (William) Blystone of Paris, Douglas W. (Melissa) Cockcroft of Metropolis and Shelby E. Cockcroft of Glendale Heights; and two granddaughters, Allison Xanna Blystone and Abigail Jane Blystone, both of Paris.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Kay Cockcroft Kraemer.
Mr. Cockcroft was a graduate of Paris High School. He earned his Bachelor's in Education from Indiana State University and his Master's Degree in Administration from Eastern Illinois University. Prior to completing his education, he assisted his family in running their general store in Elbridge Township. His teaching career began in 1966 at Rosedale Junior High School in Rosedale, Ind., where he taught history for three years. He then taught at Chrisman Junior High School from 1969-1996 before serving as principal of Chrisman High School until his retirement in 2000.
He made traveling a priority and traveled extensively with his wife for many years, especially to their favorite destinations of New Orleans and the Caribbean. In his spare time, he enjoyed model railroading. He will be remembered for his quiet generosity, his great but slightly macabre sense of humor and for his love of education that extended well beyond his formal career.
Memorial donations may be made to the ECCF Cockcroft Memorial Scholarship.
Online condolences may be left at www.TempletonFuneralHome.com.