James Thomas Cockrell

James (Jim) Thomas Cockrell, 84, passed away peacefully in his sleep in the Lakeview District Hospital on Saturday, April 18, 2020.

Jim was born on Dec. 16, 1935 one mile south of Cedarville in his grandparent’s, (AK Sweets) home to Lewis F. and Ferne E. Cockrell. He was the youngest of three boys and a fourth-generation rancher in Modoc County. He was raised on the family’s ranch in Eagleville. He attended school in Eagleville through the 4th grade when he transferred to Cedarville. He continued his education in Cedarville except for one year when he attended Christian Brothers Catholic High School in Sacramento. While he was a “new kid” at Christian Brothers, he was still extremely popular because he was one of the few kids that had a car! Jim returned to Eagleville and graduated from Surprise Valley High School in 1954.

Jim spent his entire career in the cattle business, doing what he loved. First, he worked with his parents, then his brothers and finally for himself. He moved to the “Old Robinson Ranch” in Lake City in 1958 and has lived and worked there ever since. Early on, Jim became skilled at training horses and this skill developed into a life-long passion. He appreciated good horses and wanted to be remembered as a cowboy.

Jim married Karen Wilson in 1958 and raised five children: Terri Ann, Robert James, Jessie Irene, Jaime Sue, and Dean on the ranch in Lake City.

In 1990, he married Judy (Jobe) in Ketchukan, Alaska. When asked what makes him happy, Jim responded “I love the simple life, spending the day with Judy; riding, roping, four wheelers, camping, barbeques on the patio and a glass of wine. (I enjoy) gathering and riding out at Home Camp in Nevada. I’ve lived a good life, a cowboy’s dream come true.”

Jim was preceded in death by: his beloved daughter, Terri Ann Martinez; parents, Lewis and Ferne; and his brothers, William and Robert (Judith).

He is survived by: his loving wife, Judy of Lake City; sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Sheri of Cedarville, Calif. and Dean and Lani, Lake City, Calif.; daughters and sons-in-law, Jessie and Rod Ferry of Lakeview and Jaime and Allan Dubray of Eugene; step-sons and spouses, Chris and Kathleen Holland of Carson City, Nev. and Caleb and Christina Holland of Chester, Calif.; sister-in-law, Betty (William) Cockrell of Eagleville, Calif.; grandchildren, Tom (Tiffany) Martinez of Cedarville, Calif., Reed (Amie) Martinez of Cedarville, Calif., Taren (Ryan) Hays of Fields, Kendall (Wayne) Smith of Reno, Nev., Garrett Cockrell of Alturas, Calif., Gracie Cockrell of Cedarville, Calif., Sutton Cockrell of Cedarville, Calif., A. Ryle (Tabitha) Ferry of Blackfoot, Idaho, Justin (Aysha) Ferry of Caldwell, Idaho, Kelsey Ferry of Portland, Morgan Murphy Cockrell of Lakeview, Michael Logan Cockrell of Eugene, Devin and Bri Sanchez of Carson City, Nev., Kaidyn and Jax Holland of Chester, Calif.; great-grandchildren Brennen and Adelia Martinez (Tom and Tiffany), Lige, Olivia, and Elliot Martinez (Reed and Amie), Mesa Hays (Ryan and Taren), Anndyn, Camreigh, and Eastynn Ferry (Justin and Aysha), Lukas, Ryleigh, and Ryett Ferry (Ryle and Tabitha); and numerous nieces and nephews.

A small private graveside service will be held in Lake City on Saturday, April 25, 2020 with a Celebration of Life to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the charity of your choice.

Desert Rose Funeral Chapel has charge of the arrangements.

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