Mr. Kent Harold Cockerham, age 74, of State Road, NC passed away Wednesday, June 19, 2013, at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC. He was born June 22, 1938 to Walter Carl Cockerham and Eva Lewis Cockerham of Thurmond. Kent graduated from Mountain Park High School and attended Guilford College. He was employed by Western Electric in Greensboro, NC. Mr. Cockerham returned to Elkin, when sunbeam Appliance moved a manufacturing facility into the area. He eventually became the plant manager for the Elkin operation. Kent later began a career in real estate and development where he has spent more than thirty years. He served as a Real Estate Director for Brendle's and Brenco where he continued to work until his death. Kent loved his community. His public service included: Serving on the Crossroads Advisory Committee; (Surry-Yadkin Mental Health); Surry County Mental health for 10 years; Governor's County Transportation Efficiency Council; Northwest Piedmont Emergency Medical Board; Surry County Board of Equalization and Review (from the time the board was formed in 1982 until the present time-over 30 years); and Past Board of Director for the Elkin-Jonesville-Arlington Chamber of Commerce. Kent was a Christian and a member of the Non-Denominational church. He loved God and his family continuing through his final days. In addition to his parents, Kent was preceded in death by his sister, Norma Neely of Charleston, SC; and three brothers, Don, Ed and Walter Cockerham of Greensboro, NC. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Betty Darnell Cockerham of the home, son, Mark Cockerham and his wife Lesia of Baton Rouge, LA, two daughters, Abby Conrad and her husband, Dr. James Conrad of Fort Myers,FL and Lisa Cockerham of Greensboro, NC. Grandchildren; William Cockerham of NY, NY, John Cockerham of Dallas, TX and Sam Cockerham of Baton Rouge, LA. Step grandchildren; Jessica Conrad of NY,NY, Kristen Conrad Rawley of Louisville, KY and Jeffrey Conrad of Madison, WI.; Sister; Earline Taylor. Special in-Laws, Dot and Curt Darnell, Rita Cockerham, Marlene Cockerham, Stella Cockerham, and Josephine Darnell The family will receive friends on Friday, June 21, 2013 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Elkin Funeral Service. Funeral services will be conducted on Kent's birthday, Saturday, June 22, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Elkin Funeral Service Chapel with burial following at Crestwood Memorial Gardens. The Family would like to thank Forsyth ICU Cardiac team, Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital Emergency Department, Surry County EMS and Wake Forest Baptist Health Air Care.
