Douglas Donald Cockrell

We were very sad to hear of Doug's death. Gary and I only saw him about once a year at Holley and Rusty's, but have several fond memories of our own. A halloween party where he dressed as a computer geek..hmmm, that might have been his regular clothes, celebrating my birthday with the girls and Cravin Melon, and many Christmas Eves spent together at the Knowlton's. We will miss knowing a guy who truly was as smart as a "rocket scientist". I pray for God's comforting arms around Doug's family and friends as they grieve.

Susan and Gary Davis

This Candle is placed in your memory.

This is the text of what I spoke at Doug's funeral. I'm posting it here for the same reason I read it at the service, just to help heep our memories of Doug from fading.:
______________________

I wasn’t sure how to go about this, but I couldn’t let the opportunity pass to say something, because as gregarious as Doug was, he kept personal things so close nobody could ever really know what might really be going on with him. And I want

This is the text of what I spoke at Doug's funeral. I'm posting it here for the same reason I read it at the service, just to help heep our memories of Doug from fading.:
______________________

I wasn’t sure how to go about this, but I couldn’t let the opportunity pass to say something, because as gregarious as Doug was, he kept personal things so close nobody could ever really know what might really be going on with him. And I want people to know as much about the real person inside as possible. So the only way I know to express that is to tell you about my family’s and my friendship with Doug. So this is a combination of a letter to Doug and a description of our time together, but here it is:

We became friends after high school about the time I was headed to Atlanta for college. You and our buddy Mike Clay used to show up unannounced and liven up my weekends looking for the Atlanta experience. Good or bad, we usually found it. Actually you might have just liked me for my ’69 Chevelle Super Sport, but it grew into a genuine friendship. When I came home to Columbia we bonded over cars and talk of all things scientific. I was fascinated with your blazing wit and we just meshed, bouncing crazy ideas off of each other. We built a race car in my Mom’s back yard, assembled the engine in my bedroom at her house. Only one oil spot on the carpet too! And we managed a win at the Blaney Drag Strip one night. I still have the trophy in my workshop.

As life progressed, taking you to Cary and SAS, I moved on into my own career, but we burned up the road back and forth to each other’s cities for frequent visits. I remember once you came to Columbia to find me with a new friend, Holley. "Who is that woman," you asked. But then we were three. Three people full of life and fun who all loved each other and would have done anything to help one of us in need.

You were my best man at Holley’s and my wedding, rocking out the night of my bachelor party when we smoked both channels of my amp, watching with skepticism while I gutted fistfulls of wires and put it back together declaring, “the party lives!” The music played on into the wee hours and you got me to the church on time the next day and saw us off on our honeymoon.

Then came Al. As he grew it was apparent he had the same scientific wiring as we did, he had his Mom’s intelligence and my interests. And then we were four; all of us still burning up the road between our two cities. Hotrod cars had faded by necessity for me, but we always found some kind of electromechanical thing to play with. If we didn’t have one, you’d find one. It was electronic robots to program or model airplanes to fly. Some of the old engine parts you gave me still fly today. We have a picture of Al launching a plane at one of the SAS fields where we flew one day.

When Al was a little older, he and I never missed one of your birthday weekends, riding up to Cary with great anticipation. I remember seeing your jaw drop one day when I told you Al was the same age we were when we met.

You had become our family and we all loved each other. Your absence is at its glaring worst when the holiday season comes. We’ll always miss when you’re not rolling into the driveway with a big ol’ half Grinch-half Santa grin. Or when I play in my shop with my planes or whatever needs fixing on any given day. Even when you’re not around, I always like to think about how you’d be calling out instructions that I usually brush off and do it my way. But I’ll miss them all the same. Not one day will pass when something I’m doing will make me think of you. I’m thankful that lately I at least sent you a picture text now and then to show you what I was up to.

I thought somehow, we would get together soon. But thanks for being my friend Holley’s friend and Al’s friend all these years.

We love you, and we’ll always miss you. Goodbye Doug.

Bye Doug. We love you. We miss you.
Rusty, Holley and Al

Dear Phyllis, I send sincere sympathy to you and the family, in the loss of your son, Doug. It's just not right - it's "out of order" to lose a child, no matter their age. You're in my thoughts and prayers. Much love,

Sigrid Hyman

Doug and I had some great time fishing together. He was a good friend of mine.

Doug was a fixture at Friday's and along with Horace Hill will be missed by our staff and his many friends. Our deep gratitude to Robin for her unwavering support

I first met Doug when I took a job at the University of South Carolina Computer Center in Columbia. I worked in the Academic Services Department, supporting the use of statistical software packages. Doug installed the software and knew all about issues from an operating systems point of view. When I had a technical question I couldn’t answer, I always asked Doug and he may not have had any idea what the particular software component was supposed to do, but

I first met Doug when I took a job at the University of South Carolina Computer Center in Columbia. I worked in the Academic Services Department, supporting the use of statistical software packages. Doug installed the software and knew all about issues from an operating systems point of view. When I had a technical question I couldn’t answer, I always asked Doug and he may not have had any idea what the particular software component was supposed to do, but he could always tell me how it ought to work and he was always right.

When Doug left the University and went to work at SAS Institute in Cary, NC, I would still call him, if the SAS Technical Support folks there couldn’t answer my questions, so we kept in touch. Once when he was in town visiting his family, we ran into each other and started dating. Before long, I went to work at SAS and Doug and I were married. We were married for 12 years. We had some great times being part of the SAS community.
Doug was one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever known, and could learn anything he put his mind to, quickly and more easily than most.

He was a sensitive, thoughtful, caring person. It’s a tragedy that he’s gone so young.

Claire McCullough

Doug was a kind and gentle soul -- with always a good word and positive attitude to everyone he met.

I shall miss his presence on this earth and send my deepest sympathies to his other friends and family members who also mourn his loss.

Pat and Steve McElroy, Cary

I am sorry to hear about your loss, I worked with Doug a long time ago at USC and remember him for his knowledge and working relationships with everyone at Computer Services.