Benjamin Baker Cockman, Sr.

Benjamin Baker Cockman, Sr. age 91, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 31, 2023,  being blessed with loving family by his side. For the past year and a half ,  Ben resided at The Coventry House of Siler City, NC where he made many new friends and was loved by All. Ben, along with his twin brother Russ Cockman, were born on February 2, 1932, on their family's farm near Pittsboro, NC. Ben was one of five children of the late Sarah Rosser (Ferguson) and Alex Edward Cockman. In addition to Russ, there were older brothers Ed and Bill ( both deceased ) , and younger brother Gwynne , affectionately referred to as Gwynne Baby. Ben loved growing up with his family and helping on the farm. They tended to gardens, chickens, cows, pigs, guinea fowls, turkey, sheep, horses and more. They also tended to the bird dogs kenneled on the farm for the Hickory Mountain Hunting Club which Alex owned and operated. When at Pittsboro HS, Ben and Russ drove a school bus which they were allowed to park at home. During high school, they competed in sports including football, basketball, and baseball , graduating in 1950.

In 1951 the twins joined the United States Air Force being stationed at Tillamook, Oregon and later at Burtonwood Air Force Base in England. They were Aircraft Instrument Specialists working primarily on F-86 Saber and F-84 Thunderjet fighters as well as C-124 Globemaster cargo planes. Ben and Russ both earned Honorable Discharge .

After the Air Force, Ben married the love of his life Marjorie Theodora Willich of Leonia, New Jersey on July 16, 1955. Ben and Marjorie initially met while Ben and his brothers were working summers at the Beaverkill Trout Club in the Catskill Mountains of New York state ;  jobs they acquired through their relationship with some of the hunters (who became dear family friends ) who loved visiting the Cockman Farm and Hickory Mountain Hunting Club. Ben studied mechanical engineering at NC State University. In 1958 he accepted a position as a mechanical engineer with Western Electric / Bell Laboratories which would become a decades-long career. Early on he was involved in the Nike Zeus Missile program and later with the Navy ship the USS Longlines an undersea cable tender and the 'Seaplow'. Countless dear friends were made along the way!

Ben and Marjorie were wonderful, loving parents. Benjie was born in 1956, Susan in 1959 and Jamie in 1962. He is survived by all three in addition to grandchildren Austin, Hayley, and Jacob as well as great-grandchildren Hayes, Golda, Russell, and Benjamin.

Ben coached youth football, basketball, and baseball for many years.  Along with head coach Fred Kirkland, they won five consecutive championships with the Tiny Vikings football team in Winston-Salem.  After moving to Greensboro in 1971, they coached the Pleasant Garden Yellowjackets also with great success!  Many of the young athletes he coached kept in touch with him through the years considering him a timeless leader, teacher, and role model! Some of Ben's well-known quotations are fondly embedded in the minds of many of the youngsters he coached: "Bow Your Neck", "If You're Dumb,  You Gotta Be Tough", "when the Sun goes Down, the Tail goes Up". Ben and Marjorie loved their home and many wonderful friends in Forest Oaks (Greensboro) NC; they were decades long members of Community in Christ, Presbyterian Church .

A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 29, 2023, at 12PM at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church with Rev. Ray Gooch presiding. Inurnment will immediately follow in the church cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers or donations the family asks for your Prayers for All God's glory and a Fantastic reunion for our sweet Pop, with all the Loved ones who have gone on before, especially with our sweet mom Marjorie whom he loved so very much.

Condolences may be made at www.donaldsonfunerals.com

Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Cockman family.