Mr. Irvin Wayne Cockriel

Irvin Wayne Cockriel, surrounded by his family, passed away on July 4, 2026, in Columbia, Missouri at the age of 91. Irvin was born on April 15, 1935, on the family farm in Platte County, Missouri to Ella Glen Baber and Clifford Earl Cockriel. He married his beloved wife, Sandra Cheryl Harlan, on May 31, 1958. Sandy and Irv lived in Columbia, Missouri for nearly 60 years, cherishing this nurturing community. They joined Memorial Baptist Church on their first Sunday as residents and it was a vital part of their lives.

Irv was a loving and supportive father to Steven, Mark, and Julie – devoting countless hours to attending football, basketball and baseball games, gymnastic events, plays, and vocal and piano concerts. An avid gardener, Irv was well known for his delicious home-grown tomatoes and his towering sunflower plants.

Irv received a BS in Education (Industrial Arts) from Central Missouri State College in 1957. He received his Master’s in Education from Central Missouri State College in 1958. He earned his Doctorate in Education from the University of Missouri at Columbia in 1970. He was a fixture in the College of Education at Mizzou from 1964 until he finally retired for the 4th time in 2018 as Department Chair. He received many awards for his teaching and administrative services for the College of Education, but treasured being the recipient of the first Gold Chalk Award from the Graduate Student Association in 1998. Irv also played a major role in increasing grants and donations for the College of Education.

Irv survived his loving wife, Sandy, who passed on March 9, 2025. Irv is lovingly remembered by his sons, Steven Cockriel (Danna) and Mark Cockriel (Cynthia); and their daughter, Julie Sanders (Riley). He was a doting and supportive grandfather to Amanda Jane Jones (née Cockriel), Samuel Cockriel, Will Cockriel, Tim Cockriel, Madeline Cockriel, Aster Sanders, and Rachel Sanders. Additionally, Irv was a great-grandfather to eleven.

Rather than sending flowers, please consider contributing to the Irv Cockriel Endowed Education Fund through the University of Missouri (use this link: mizzou.us/IrvCockrielMemorialGifts). Sandy established this scholarship in Irv’s honor in 2000 to provide scholarships to graduate students in the College of Education.

Visitation is set for Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m., at Memorial Baptist Church, 1643 Paris Road, Columbia, Missouri.