He grew up in Grand Prairie, but graduated from Methodist Boys Ranch and Axtell High School near Waco. During high school, Brian won second place in the skeet shooting competition, tended to cows, hogs, and sheep, and raised and presented chickens at the annual McLennon County Junior Live Stock Show. He has held a variety of jobs, primarily focusing on stocking and merchandising.
Brian loved different types of music, especially heavy metal and classic rock. He and his dad with sometimes his brother and mom attended several rock and roll performances including concerts for the Rolling Stones, Bob Seger, ZZ Top, Eric Clapton, Lynard Skynard, Bon Jovi, Santana, The Eagles, and Rare Earth. He enjoyed several others with friends. Brian enjoyed a family trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. For his 30th birthday he joined his cousins in Austin, spending time at Austin City Limits.
Brian had a special love for dogs, adopting Lady from the Humane Society of North Texas in Ft. Worth, and Obi-Wan-Kenobi from Prairie Paws in Grand Prairie. He enjoyed taking Lady to Trunk or Treat at his church, First Baptist Church Grand Prairie, each fall so the children could pet her.
Brian is now united with Gramps (Garth Cockerell) in Heaven and will rejoin Gran (Nina Cockerell), MeMo (Maureen Ford), and Granddad (Benton Ford) as well as other relatives.
He is survived by his parents, Leslie and Janis Cockerell of Grand Prairie, and his brother Ben Cockerell of Grand Prairie; uncles and aunts: Sylvia and Mike Newman of Shreveport; Gloria Cockerell of Plano; Garth and Gayle Cockerell of Gladewater and Phillip and Vicki Cockerell of Bossier City. In addition, he has many beloved cousins.
Visitation will be held at 1:00 PM followed by a 3:00 PM service on Tuesday, September 15 at First Baptist Church Grand Prairie, 950 Mayfield Rd. Grand Prairie, TX 75052. Private Burial at Southland Memorial Park in Grand Prairie.
In addition to or in lieu of flowers, anyone may contribute to Prairie Paws in Grand Prairie or the Humane Society of North Texas.
