Charles F. Cockrell

Charles F. Cockrell, 93, passed peacefully into the everlasting arms of the Lord on Thursday evening, October 23, 2014. Charles was born February 1, 1921 to Charles and Elva Cockrell in Shreveport, Louisiana. Charles and his family moved to Houston when he was a very young boy and he has lived in Houston ever since. He was proud to be almost a native Houstonian.

Charles graduated from Baylor University in June, 1942 and then joined the U.S. Navy Air Corps in August 1942 to serve in World War II. After the war, he entered the University Of Texas School Of Law, graduating in 1949. He had a long and successful legal career. Charles served as city attorney of West University for many years in the early 1960’s and was also very proud of the fact that he was able to serve as an incorporator of the Houston Grand Opera in 1955 along with his mother, Elva Lobit, and Edward Bing. He was a partner in the firm of Strong, Heyburn and Cockrell for many years. Even though he retired in 1994, he always enjoyed keeping up with the activities of the state and local bar associations.

Charles married Yvonne Marie Bownds on July 27, 1946 and they had a loving marriage until her death in September 2001. Charles and Yvonne were blessed with a loving family including a daughter, Elva Godwin and husband, Ned, and two beloved grandsons, Eddy and Charles. After Yvonne’s death, Charles was further blessed with two granddaughters-in-law, Julia and Amber, and four precious great grandchildren, Steven, Grace, Luke and Charles.

The family would like to thank the staff at Bayou Vista at Eagle’s Trace for the loving care that they provided to him in his last days. The family also appreciates the care and camaraderie that he received at Eagle’s Trace from both staff and friends.

A visitation for Charles will be Monday, October 27, 2014 from 6-8 PM at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home. Services celebrating his life will be Tuesday, October 28, 2014 in the chapel of Memorial Oaks at 3:00 PM with Rev. Jim Foster officiating. Concluding services Charles will be laid to rest at Memorial Oaks Cemetery.