Mr. Robert Eugene Cockrum

Robert was born in St Louis, Missouri on May 11, 1933 to James Verner and Otilla Cockrum. He was predeceased by his parents and sister Dorothy and her husband H Clark Roberts. He was the winner of the St. Louis Dispatch's cutest baby contest. He went on to graduate from Linwood High School and then Washington University Saint Louis where he served as President the Sigma Chi fraternity, Tau Tau Chapter and received a Bachelor of Business Administration.

Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force, rising to the rank of Captain before being honorably discharged in 1967.

He was married to Mary Margaret Quinn Cockrum on July 5, 1958. They had a fairy tale marriage for 63 years.

Bob helped his father run Weipert Drugs, the only all-night drug store in St. Louis, until he and his father sold it in 1972. He went on to become a visionary for Waterford Crystal and reveled in bringing its brilliance and splendor first to the upper tier of the midwestern states and then the southeastern US, serving for a brief time during that period as Vice-President of sales for US operations.

He retired in 2006 to enjoy time with his wife and his favorite hobbies of golf, horticulture, stock trading, golfing, caddying for his grandson and carpentry. He especially enjoyed the evenings spent as bartender/waiter for the ladies Pokeno group of which his wife was a member. In his early family life Bob enjoyed boating and fishing on his fishing boat known as the "African Queen"- one of his favorite movies. Many fun family memories were made on that john boat. Including trips to the islands on the Missouri River, the Ozarks, and Lake Lanier. Saying goodbye to the boat was an event.

Robert is survived by the love of his life, Mary Margaret Quinn; his children James Cockrum (Mary), Nancy Plough (Jerry), Rebecca Wrona (Daniel); his grandchildren Lucy Cockrum, Mary Claire Cockrum, Corinne Plough, Francis Plough, Shannon Plough, Jack Wrona, Adam Wrona, and his great-grandson Canon. Also survived by his loving nieces Lynne Roberts and Jan Roberts Gifford.

A visitation for Robert will be held Friday, April 16, 2021 from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM at American Heritage Funeral Home, 10710 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038, with a funeral service from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

The committal service will be from 12:45 PM to 1:15 PM at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038 (across the street from the funeral home) with burial.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers a donation be made in Robert's name to the National Kidney Foundation, Sigma Chi fraternity (Tau Tau chapter) at Washington University Saint Louis or Mary Queen of Peace building fund in Mandeville, LA. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AmericanHeritageFuneralHome.com for the Cockrum family.