Robert Harold Cockreham

Robert Harold Cockreham, 89, of Fort Smith, AR, passed away December 19, 2011 in Seattle, WA. He was born 4 June 1922 In Fort Smith, the son of Rassie Lee and Esther McBride Cockreham. After completing one year at Fort Smith Jr. College he enlisted with three older friends in the Army Air Corps on 13 October 1941. After various assignments he was appointed to be a cadet and completed flying schools. He chose the B-17 aircraft and flew 50 combat missions with the 15th Air Force out of Africa and Italy. His primary decorations were the Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters; Distinguished Unit Citation, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Metal with 4 bronze battle stars. And for those doubtful ones who knew him well over the years he received the Good Conduct Medal with 3 bronze loops. His military memorabilia is in a display case at the Fort Smith Municipal Airport.

Being single he was often posted to remote assignments such as Curlew, Wash.; Yaak, Montana; Puntzi Mountain, Canada; Adak, Alaska; Fairbanks, Alaska and Prum, Germany.

He also served in various duties such as Adjutant/Personnel Officer; Assistant Wing Personnel Officer, Post Engineer; Commander of an Engineer Service Company; Communications and Electronics Officer. The majority of latter years were serving as a Heavy Ground Radar Maintenance Supervisor.

He retired as a Senior Master Sergeant on 31 July 1962 and ten years later as a Captain in the United States Air Force.

After losing his right to vote twice while serving overseas due to the incompetence of Arkansas's Democratic Party and the corruption of the Faubus Administration declared a personal war against The Democratic Party of Arkansas. He started walking precincts delivering pamphlets, assisting in the campaign offices and rose quickly to become GOP Field Representive for the 3rd Congressional District of Ark.
He was also elected Chairman of the Sebastian County GOP Committee. During this period the first Republican Candidates, since reconstruction, were elected County Sheriff, State Representative,, State Senator, U. S. Congressman, State Senate, Lt Governor and Governor.
He was chosen to head the 1970 Census for the 3rd Congressional District and his unit was declared The best of the three state area of Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma. He was also hired to close out the Census Office in the 1st Congressional District.

As a charter member of the West-Ark Chapter of the Arkansas Retired Military Association he worked as a bartender without pay until sufficient funds were available to hire a bartender. He held various positions as Secretary, Treasurer, Bookkeeper and State Secretary.

He volunteered for many organizations. Over a 11 year period he maintained the local DAV vehicles and drove over 55,000 miles taking patients from the local area to the VA Hospital in Fayetteville.

As a 14 year Red Cross Volunteer he preferred serving as a Mass Care Specialist and served on 27 National Disasters and hundreds of local fires, civic activities, etc. He was named volunteer of the year for two straight years.

After paying a Licensed Public Accountant to do his tax return he pointed out that it was incorrect. He began to study the tax laws and assisted friends. He later joined the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program and over a 30 year period saved local taxpayers thousands and thousands of dollars.

Over the years he and several alumni from the Class of 1940 Fort Smith Senior High have held picnics, dinners, newsletters, lists of addresses, telephone numbers, E-Mail addresses, etc. For his efforts his classmates established a scholarship fund in his name. This fund has generated 4 scholarships.

When it was necessary to place his mother in the Methodist Nursing Home he began to take a disabled wheel chair patient and his friend to Sunday trips to various parks, rivers, etc. After a two or three hour drive, there would be a stop to roast a hot dog and then head back to the nursing home. He was awarded Volunteer of the Year for this service.

An avid golfer he was elected Chairman of the Deer Trails Golf Club Advisor Committee and also served as handicap chair for about 8 years. He won the Super Senior Championship at DTGC in 2005 and 2006.

His parents and brothers Perry Lee Cockreham and Rassie Patrick Cockreham, Jr preceded him in death.

He is survived by his brother Paul Newton Cockreham of Lynnwood, Washington, five nephews and eight great-nieces and great-nephews.

He will be buried in the Fort Smith National Cemetery with Full Military Honors, but his body was donated as an organ donator.

Funeral Service will be held 10:00 AM Friday, April 20, 2012 , at Fort Smith National Cemetery Pavilion under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Smith.

In lieu of flowers suggest any donations be directed to the American Red Cross, 1709 South Greenwood, Fort Smith, AR 72901 or Kistler Treatment Center for kids at 2204 South M Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901.

To place online tributes visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com